How do you use Grafana?

Here are the basic methods for using Grafana, an open-source platform for data visualization and monitoring, which is used to display real-time indicators and statistical data from various data sources.

1. Installation and configuration: To begin, you need to install Grafana on the server. Depending on the operating system you are using, you can obtain the installation package from the official website or other sources and follow the instructions for installation. Once installation is complete, you can make changes by editing the configuration file.
2. Connect data source: Open the Grafana web interface, log in, click on the “Configuration” option on the left-hand side navigation panel, then select “Data Sources”. Click on the “Add data source” button, choose the type of data source you want to connect to (such as InfluxDB, Prometheus, MySQL, etc.) and fill in the corresponding connection information. Click on the “Save & Test” button to verify if the connection is successful.
3. To create a dashboard: On the main interface of Grafana, click on the “Create” option in the left navigation bar and select “Dashboard”. In the pop-up window, you can choose different panel types to display data, such as charts, tables, and gauges. Click on the “Add Query” button to configure data queries and display options. You can customize query statements and chart styles, as well as set thresholds, alarms, etc. Once configuration is complete, click on the “Save Dashboard” button to save the dashboard.
4. Set up an alert: In the Grafana dashboard, click on the bell icon in the top right corner and select “Alerting”. Click on the “New Alert” button to create a new alert rule. You can set the alert conditions, notification methods (such as email, Slack, etc.), and frequency. Once configured, click the “Save” button to save the alert rule.
5. Sharing and exporting: In Grafana’s dashboard, by clicking the “Share” button in the top right corner, you can generate a shared link or embed code to showcase the dashboard to others or embed it into other web pages. You can also click the “Export” button to export the dashboard as a JSON file for backup or importing into other Grafana instances.

This is just the basic way to use Grafana, there are actually more advanced features and configuration options to explore. You can refer to official documentation and community resources for a more detailed user guide and practical examples.