Where is the Datadog agent installed on the host?

The Datadog agent is installed at the operating system level of the host. This positioning allows the agent to monitor system performance, capture metrics, and collect logs efficiently. By being integrated into the operating system, the agent can access relevant data and system processes directly, providing vital insights into the performance and health of applications running on that host.

This integration enables the agent to gather a comprehensive set of metrics, including CPU usage, memory consumption, disk I/O, and network traffic. Because the operating system manages the resources and processes of the host machine, having the agent installed there allows it to effectively monitor and report on the health of the overall environment, ensuring that performance data is accessible for insights and troubleshooting.

In contrast, other options like the application layer, hardware layer, or network layer do not provide the same level of visibility or access to the underlying systems and resources managed by the operating system. Therefore, the correct location for installing the Datadog agent is the operating system layer.