How can you use Grafana for custom network monitoring dashboards?

1 Install and configure Grafana

The first step to use Grafana for network monitoring is to install and configure it on your server or machine. You can download the latest version of Grafana from its official website, or use a package manager or a container platform to install it. You will also need to install and configure a data source that collects and stores network metrics, such as Prometheus, InfluxDB, Graphite, or Zabbix. You can then connect Grafana to your data source using the built-in plugins or the API. You can access Grafana's web interface by default on port 3000, and log in with the default username and password (admin/admin).

2 Create a network dashboard

Once you have Grafana and your data source ready, you can create a network dashboard that displays the metrics and information you want to monitor. You can use the Grafana UI to create a dashboard from scratch, or import an existing dashboard template from the Grafana website or the community. A dashboard consists of panels, which are the individual components that show a specific metric or graph. You can customize the panels by choosing the type, data query, visualization options, thresholds, labels, and more. You can also add variables, filters, annotations, and alerts to your dashboard to make it more dynamic and interactive.

3 Use Grafana features and plugins

Grafana offers many features and plugins that can enhance your network monitoring dashboard and experience. For example, you can use the Explore mode to query and visualize your data in different ways, or the Snapshot mode to share a static version of your dashboard with others. You can also use the Dashboard settings to configure the layout, permissions, variables, annotations, and links of your dashboard. Moreover, you can install and use various plugins that extend Grafana's functionality and integration with other tools and services. Some of the popular plugins for network monitoring are Worldmap Panel, Pie Chart Panel, Statusmap Panel, and Grafana Cloud Agent.

4 Customize your network dashboard

One of the advantages of using Grafana for network monitoring is that you can customize your dashboard to fit your specific needs and preferences. You can edit, clone, or delete any panel on your dashboard, or add new panels with different metrics and visualizations. You can also change the theme, color, font, and style of your dashboard using the Grafana UI or the custom.ini file. Furthermore, you can use the Dashboard JSON model to export, import, or modify your dashboard in a JSON format. You can also use the Grafana API or the CLI to automate and manage your dashboard.

5 Share and collaborate on your network dashboard

Another benefit of using Grafana for network monitoring is that you can share and collaborate on your dashboard with your team or stakeholders. You can use the Share feature to generate a link, an image, or an embed code for your dashboard, or to send it via email or Slack. You can also use the Permissions feature to control who can view, edit, or administer your dashboard. Additionally, you can use the Version history feature to view and restore previous versions of your dashboard, or the Annotations feature to add notes and comments to your dashboard.

6 Learn and improve your network monitoring skills

The last step to use Grafana for network monitoring is to learn and improve your skills and knowledge. You can use the Grafana documentation, tutorials, blogs, and videos to learn more about Grafana's features, plugins, and best practices. You can also use the Grafana community, forums, and events to ask questions, get feedback, and exchange ideas with other Grafana users and experts. Moreover, you can use the Grafana metrics and logs to monitor and troubleshoot your own Grafana instance, or use the Grafana feedback and support channels to report issues, request features, or contribute to Grafana's development.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?