Dashboards
Overview:
Azure Monitor dashboards provide a powerful way to visualize and monitor the health, performance, and security of your Azure resources. This step-by-step guide is designed for beginners who are new to creating dashboards in Azure Monitor.
Prerequisites
An active Azure subscription.
Basic knowledge of Azure services (e.g., Virtual Machines, Storage Accounts).
Step 1: Accessing Azure Monitor
Log in to the Azure Portal:
Go to portal.azure.com.
Use your Azure credentials to log in.
Navigate to Azure Monitor:
In the Azure Portal, search for "Azure Monitor" in the top search bar and select it from the results.
This will take you to the Azure Monitor overview page, where you can see insights into your resources.
Step 2: Create a New Dashboard
Access the Dashboard Blade:
On the left-hand side menu, select "Dashboard".
Click on "New dashboard" at the top left of the dashboard pane.
Name Your Dashboard:
In the "New dashboard" pane, enter a meaningful name for your dashboard. For example, "Resource Performance Monitor".
Choose whether you want it to be a private dashboard (only visible to you) or shared (visible to others with appropriate access).
Step 3: Adding Resources to Your Dashboard
Add Tiles:
A blank grid will appear where you can add tiles. Tiles are individual widgets that display different types of data.
On the right-hand side, click on "Add tile" to see available visualizations (e.g., charts, grids, maps).
Select Data to Visualize:
You can add metrics, logs, or alerts from your resources.
For example, to add a performance chart for a Virtual Machine:
Click on "Metrics".
Choose the resource type (e.g., "Virtual Machines").
Select a specific Virtual Machine.
Choose a metric to display (e.g., "Percentage CPU").
Configure the time range, aggregation type (average, sum, etc.), and visualization style (line chart, bar chart, etc.).
Click "Apply" to add it to the dashboard.
Customize the Tile Layout:
Resize and reposition tiles by dragging the corners or moving them across the grid.
Add more tiles as needed, such as activity logs, alerts, or custom queries from Azure Monitor Logs.
Step 4: Customizing Your Dashboard
Configure Tile Settings:
Click on the ellipsis (...) on a tile to open its settings.
You can modify the metric, visualization style, or even change the resource it is monitoring.
Add Filters:
Apply filters to your dashboard to focus on specific resources or regions.
Click on "Edit" at the top of the dashboard, then select "Add a filter".
Choose a filter (e.g., Resource Group) to narrow down the data displayed across the entire dashboard.
Add Custom Queries:
If you are familiar with Kusto Query Language (KQL), you can create custom log queries in Azure Monitor Logs and pin the results to your dashboard.
Step 5: Save and Share Your Dashboard
Save Your Dashboard:
Once you’re satisfied with the layout and content, click "Save" at the top of the dashboard.
Your dashboard is now available for monitoring and can be accessed anytime from the "Dashboard" section in the Azure Portal.
Share the Dashboard:
If you chose to create a shared dashboard, you can manage access by clicking on "Share" at the top.
Assign roles and permissions to others in your organization to view or edit the dashboard.
Step 6: Continuous Monitoring and Updates
Regularly Update Your Dashboard:
As your environment grows or changes, revisit your dashboard to add new tiles or modify existing ones.
Keep the dashboard relevant by incorporating new metrics or resources that are critical to your operations.
Set Up Alerts:
Enhance your dashboard by setting up alerts in Azure Monitor that trigger when certain conditions are met (e.g., CPU usage exceeds 80%).
Pin alerts to your dashboard to quickly see ongoing issues.
Use Azure Monitor Workbooks:
For more complex visualizations and analyses, consider using Azure Monitor Workbooks. They provide more customization options and can be pinned to dashboards.
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