The ThousandEyes platform uses agents to run tests against targets configured for measurement. An agent is a Linux server running custom ThousandEyes software, which checks in with an agent collector to obtain instructions from the ThousandEyes platform. Generally speaking, these are lightweight machines that are tasked solely with acting as ThousandEyes agents.
Cloud Agents provide globally distributed vantage points throughout the Internet and are maintained by ThousandEyes. They are located in over 200 cities and are connected to Tier 1, 2 and 3 ISPs, broadband service providers, and regional data centers of major cloud providers. A Cloud Agent is a server that is available immediately to customers for tests, with no administrative responsibilities. Any test type in the ThousandEyes platform can be run on a Cloud Agent.
An Enterprise Agent is an endpoint that is used to test targets from inside your network, or from infrastructure within your control. Enterprise Agents can be easily installed on your own network, in data centers and branch offices, using a lightweight virtualized system called a virtual appliance, a docker container, or a Linux package installed on a supported Linux distribution. Enterprise Agents collect data for the exclusive use of your account, and are not shared with other organizations.
