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Install, Configure, and Upgrade Guide for 26.x (SaaS)

Deploy Flowlink as a Linux Service

Note

Operating Flowlink as a service requires Flowlink version 2.0.0 or later.

You can deploy Illumio Flowlink either as a manually controlled application (pre-version 2.0.0) or as a Linux service. Beginning with Flowlink version 2.0.0, Flowlink installs as a Linux service by default, allowing it to automatically start after a system boot or restart.

Operating Flowlink as a service improves operational reliability, aligns with standard Linux service management practices, and is recommended for production environments.

Configuration Options

  • New Installation. Install Flowlink 2.0.0 or later as a Linux service that starts automatically after a system boot or restart. (See Configure Flowlink.)

  • Upgrade to Flowlink 2.0.0. To upgrade an existing Flowlink 1.x installation to service-based operation, uninstall the existing package and then install Flowlink 2.0.0 or later. (See Configure Flowlink installation steps.)

    rpm -e illumio-flowlink

  • Revert to or preserve legacy Flowlink pre-v2.0.0 application-based behavior. Set the following environment variable before installation.

    export NOT_AS_SERVICE=true

    Caution

    Operating Flowlink with legacy (pre-v2.0.0) application-based behavior is not recommended for production environments.

Installation Artifacts

When Flowlink is installed as a service, a dedicated service user is created and the following files and directories are installed:

  • ilo-flowlink user and group

  • /usr/local/illumio

  • /usr/local/bin/flowlink

  • /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-ctl

  • /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-monitor

  • /etc/illumio-flowlink/config.yaml

  • /var/lib/illumio-flowlink/data

  • /var/log/illumio-flowlink

  • /etc/init.d/illumio-flowlink

  • /etc/logrotate.d/flowlink-logrotate.conf

Service Operation and Debugging

  • Edit the Flowlink configuration file before starting the service.

    sudo vi /etc/illumio-flowlink/config.yaml

    Warning

    You should not start Flowlink until the configuration file has been fully reviewed and updated for the target environment.

  • Manage the Flowlink service using standard Linux service management tools.

    sudo systemctl start illumio-flowlink
sudo systemctl stop illumio-flowlink
sudo systemctl status illumio-flowlink
        
    sudo service illumio-flowlink start
sudo service illumio-flowlink stop
sudo service illumio-flowlink status

  • Use the Flowlink control utility as the preferred method for managing the service and viewing startup or runtime errors.

    sudo -u ilo-flowlink /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-ctl start
sudo -u ilo-flowlink /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-ctl stop
sudo -u ilo-flowlink /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-ctl status

  • To run Flowlink in verbose debug mode, stop the service and restart it with verbose output enabled.

    sudo -u ilo-flowlink /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-ctl stop
sudo -u ilo-flowlink /usr/local/bin/illumio-flowlink-ctl start -v

    All Flowlink logs are in the /var/log/illumio-flowlink directory, including any archived logs.

Operational Notes

  • Flowlink runs under a dedicated non-root service account (ilo-flowlink) to reduce security risk.

  • Service-based operation ensures Flowlink automatically restarts after system reboots.

  • Debug mode should be used only for troubleshooting and should not remain enabled in production environments.