[[install-uptime]]
== Install Uptime

The easiest way to get started with Elastic Uptime is by using our hosted {es} Service on Elastic Cloud.
The {es} Service is available on both AWS and GCP,
and automatically configures {es} and {kib}.

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=== Hosted Elasticsearch Service

Skip managing your own {es} and {kib} instance by using our
https://www.elastic.co/cloud/elasticsearch-service[hosted {es} Service] on
Elastic Cloud.

https://www.elastic.co/cloud/elasticsearch-service/signup[Try out the {es} Service for free],
then jump straight to <<install-heartbeat>>.

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[[before-installation]]
=== Install the stack yourself

If you'd rather install the stack yourself,
first see the https://www.elastic.co/support/matrix[Elastic Support Matrix] for information about supported operating systems and product compatibility. Then, follow the steps below.

* <<install-elasticsearch>>
* <<install-kibana>>
* <<install-heartbeat>>

[[install-elasticsearch]]
=== Step 1: Install Elasticsearch

Install an Elasticsearch cluster, start it up, and make sure it's running.

. Verify that your system meets the
https://www.elastic.co/support/matrix#matrix_jvm[minimum JVM requirements] for {es}.
. {stack-gs}/get-started-elastic-stack.html#install-elasticsearch[Install Elasticsearch].
. {stack-gs}/get-started-elastic-stack.html#_make_sure_elasticsearch_is_up_and_running[Make sure elasticsearch is up and running].

[[install-kibana]]
=== Step 2: Install Kibana

Install Kibana, start it up, and open up the web interface:

. {stack-gs}/get-started-elastic-stack.html#install-kibana[Install Kibana].
. {stack-gs}/get-started-elastic-stack.html#_launch_the_kibana_web_interface[Launch the Kibana Web Interface].

[[install-heartbeat]]
=== Step 3: Install and configure Heartbeat

Uptime requires the setup of monitors in Heartbeat.
These monitors provide the data you'll be visualizing in the {kibana-ref}/xpack-uptime.html[Uptime UI].

See the *Setup Instructions* in Kibana for instructions on installing and configuring Heartbeat.
Additional information is available in {heartbeat-ref}/heartbeat-configuration.html[Configure Heartbeat].

[role="screenshot"]
image::images/uptime-setup.png[Installation instructions on the Uptime page in Kibana]

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==== Important considerations

* Make sure you're using the same major versions of Heartbeat and Kibana.

* Index patterns tell Kibana which Elasticsearch indices you want to explore.
The Uptime UI requires a +heartbeat-{short-version}*+ index pattern.
If you have configured a different index pattern, you can use {ref}/indices-aliases.html[index aliases] to ensure data is recognized by the UI.

After you install and configure Heartbeat,
the {kibana-ref}/xpack-uptime.html[Uptime UI] will automatically populate with the Heartbeat monitors.