Select Language:
If you’re seeing a group called azuremetricsext appear on your Linux virtual machine after installing the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA), it’s understandable to be curious or even concerned about what’s happening. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand the situation and take steps to address it.
First, know that the Azure Monitor Agent is designed to collect performance data and logs from your VM. Sometimes, depending on how it’s set up, the agent might create system groups or users as part of its operation. A group like azuremetricsext is usually created to facilitate its monitoring functions. Usually, this process is documented, but if you’re unsure, it’s good to investigate further.
To start troubleshooting, review your Data Collection Rules (DCRs). These rules control what data the agent gathers, and checking them can reveal if any settings are unintentionally causing the creation of this group. Make sure that none of your custom configurations or performance counters are responsible for this behavior.
Next, check the logs from the Azure Monitor Agent on your VM. These logs can tell you why this particular group was created. You can find the logs at this path: /var/opt/microsoft/azuremonitoragent/logs/azuremonitoragent.log. Open this file and review its contents; it often provides clues about the agent’s activity and any unusual actions or errors.
It’s also a good idea to look into recent changes made to your VM or the Azure environment. If there have been recent updates, modifications to your data collection settings, or system changes, they might be linked to this group’s appearance. Keeping track of what’s changed can help pinpoint the cause.
Although specific documentation on the creation of azuremetricsext isn’t readily available, the official Azure documentation on the Azure Monitor Agent can provide valuable insights into how the agent works and how to troubleshoot common issues.
If you still have questions after these steps, don’t hesitate to ask for further help. Sometimes, understanding the behavior of these systems can be tricky, but with a little investigation, you can usually identify and resolve the cause.



