About this task

How to set the time in Grafana Dashboards

Applies to

All BVQ versions

Procedure

Open the Grafana time setting dialog by clicking on the actual time settings

Time setting for analysis mode

In analysis mode, Grafana allows you to display data within a specific time frame on your panels. Here's how you can set this up:

a. Click on the current time range in the upper right corner to open the time range selector.

b. Specify the start time ('From') and end time ('To') for your data analysis. Upon closing, all panels will refresh to reflect the information within this range.

c. Verify if the 'Quick ranges' meet your requirements. These pre-set ranges provide shortcuts for common time frames.

d. Optionally, you can select a quick range and then zoom in for a more detailed view by using the mouse to draw a rectangle on the panel area you wish to magnify.

For more comprehensive instructions, visit the Grafana documentation on time ranges: Grafana Time Range Reference

Time setting for dashboard node

In dashboard mode, the time settings are relative. Follow these steps to make adjustments:

a. Access the time range selector by clicking on the current time range display.

b. Instead of an absolute time range, you'll input a relative time period into the 'From' and 'To' fields (e.g., "Last 3 hours" or "Last 6 hours").

c. Set a 'Refresh interval.' Generally, a 5-minute interval is recommended for balance, but a 1-minute interval can provide more up-to-date data, depending on your needs.

Setting the right data interval

Data intervals are crucial as they determine the granularity of the data points displayed. Incorrect settings can cause the graphics to appear distorted, often resembling a staircase pattern.

• It's advisable to use the 'Auto' interval setting. This option lets Grafana determine the best data interval based on the time range.

• Rule of Thumb: For longer time ranges, set larger data intervals to reduce server load and computation time. Conversely, smaller intervals could overload the server, causing performance issues.

Always ensure that your settings align with your server's capacity and the specific needs of your data analysis to maintain optimal system performance.