Customizing graphs

Graphs template

Definition

Graph models are models which can be used to shape graph layouts. Graph models can be used to configure multiple presentation settings including the y-axis measurement, the width and the height of the graph, or colors, etc.

Configuration

To add a new graph model:

  1. Go into the menu: Monitoring > Performances

  2. In the left menu, click on Templates

  3. Click on Add

../../_images/02addgraph_template.png

General informations

  • The field Template name can be used to define a name for the graph model.

  • The Vertical label field contains the legend for the y-axis (type of datameasured).

  • The Width and Height fields are expressed in pixels and express respectively the width and the height of the model.

  • The Lower limit field defines the minimum limit of the y-axis.

  • The Upper limit field defines the maximum limit of the y-axis.

  • The Base list defines the calculation base for the data during the scaling of the graph y-axis. Use 1024 for measurements like the Bytes (1 KB = 1 024 Bytes) and 1 000 for measurements like the volt (1 kV = 1 000 Volts).

Note

If the box Size to max is checked, the graph will automatically be scaled to the scale of the maximum value ordinates shown on the given period.

Using a graph template

You can add this layout model on edition of the object for:

  • A service (or a model of service) by going into the Service Extended Info tab in configuration form.

  • A command

Curves

Definition

A curve is the representation of the evolution performance data (metrics produced from the collection of data) visible via performance graphs. A graph may contain multiple curves. It is possible to customize the curves by changing certain settings: curve profile, position of the curves on the graph, legend and additional information (average, total value, etc.).

Configuration

To add a new curve model:

  1. Go into the menu: Monitoring > Performances

  2. In the left menu, click on Curves

  3. Click on Add

../../_images/02addcurve.png
  • The Template Name field defines the name of the model.

  • The Hosts/Service Data Source lists defines the host/service for which this curve will be used. If this information is not filled in, this curve definition will be applied to all services in which this metric appears.

  • The Data Source Name field can be used to select the metric which will use this definition. The List of known metrics list can be used to choose the already existing metrics used by the services.

  • If the Stack box is checked, this curve will be stacked on the others (useful to see the proportion of one metric in relation to another).

  • If the Order box is checked, the Order list can be used to define the order display / stacking of the curve (the smaller the number, the closer it will be to the x-axis).

  • If the Invert box is checked, the curve is reversed (opposite to the absolute value) in relation to the y-axis (useful for seeing the proportion of the incoming traffic compared to the outgoing traffic).

  • The Thickness list expresses the thickness of the line of the curve (expressed in pixels).

  • The Line color field defines the color of the curve.

  • The Area color field concerns the filling color of the curve if the Filling option is checked, (see below). It contains 3 fields that correspond with the colors of the OK, WARNING and CRITICAL statuses respectively.

  • The Transparency field defines the level of transparency of the contour color.

  • If the Filling box is checked, all the curve is filled with the color of the area defined according to the status.

The attributes below concern the information situated under the graph.

  • The Legend field defines the legend of the curve.

  • If the Display only the legend box is checked, the curve will be masked but the legend will be visible.

  • The Empty lines after this legend list can be used to define a certain number of empty lines after the legend.

  • If the Print max value box is checked, the maximum value reached by the curve will be displayed.

  • If the Print min value box is checked, the minimum value reached by the curve will be displayed.

  • If the Round the min and max box is checked, the minimum and maximum values will be rounded.

  • If the Print Average box is checked, the average of the points of the curve will be displayed.

  • If the Print last value box is checked, the last value collected from the curve will be displayed.

  • If the Print total value box is checked, the total value is displayed (sum of all the values of the curve on the selected period).

  • The Comment field can be used to comment on the curve.

Some examples of curves

Stacked curves:

../../_images/02graphempile.png

Reversed curves:

../../_images/02graphinverse.png

Curves with filling:

../../_images/02graphremplissage.png

Virtual metrics

Definition

The virtual metrics are the display of curves resulting from the processing / aggregation of data from a set of data. The set of data corresponds to various values of curves on the period covered by the graph. The creation of virtual metrics is based on the RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) language.

Two types of sets of data are available:

  • CDEF: this command creates a new set of points starting from one or more series of data. The aggregation is performed on each point (data).

  • VDEF: the result of each aggregation is a value and a time component. This result can also be used in the miscellaneous graph and printing elements.

CDEF v. VDEF

The CDEF type works on a set of points (data table). The result of the processing (e.g.: multiplication by 8 to convert bits into Bytes) will be a set of points. The VDEF type enables us to extract the maximum from a set of points.

Note

For more information on the RPN type notation, refer to the official RRD documentation

Configuration

To add a virtual metric:

  1. Go into the menu: Monitoring > Performances

  2. In the left menu, click on Metrics (under Virtuals)

  3. Click on Add

../../_images/02addvmetric.png
  • The field Metric name defines the name of the metric.

  • The Host/Service Data Source list can be used to define the service from which to work the metrics.

  • The DEF Type field defines the type of data set used to calculate the virtual curve.

  • The RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) Function field defines the formula to be used to calculate the virtual metric.

Note

It is not possible to add together the metrics of different services. However, it is possible to add virtual metrics for the calculation of a new metric.

  • The Metric Unit field defines the units of the metric.

  • The Warning threshold field defines the alert threshold to be displayed on the graph.

  • The Critical threshold field defines the critical threshold to be displayed on the graph.

  • If the Hidden Graph and Legend box is checked, the curve and the legend are hidden.

  • The Comment field can be used comment on the metric.