Home > Performance Graphs

First, let’s look at the regular Performance Graphs. Here you can easily view graphs of the individual services on a single host, the ping checks on all of the hosts in a hostgroup, or all of the services in a servicegroup. At the top of the menu, you’ll see the Time Period and object selection settings.

To the right of each graph, you’ll see a hamburger menu you can click to choose an export option, and buttons to view the raw data, or view the object status, notifications, and history.

Exploring the Graph Explorer

This powerful tool can be found at Home > Graphs > Graph Explorer.

• Top Alerts, Host Health, Service Health

The options begin humbly in the first three tabs with a simple bar chart showing Top Alerts, a Host Health pie chart, and a Service Health pie chart. Of important note is the Dashify icon, which you’ll notice throughout the XI interface. Simply click it to add whichever visualization you see above to a Dashboard:

• Scalable Performance Graph

This simple tool provides a way to quickly create a graph for a single service, for a set period of time.

• Time Stacked Performance Graphs

Time Stacked graphs have tremendous value, providing you with an easy way to stack resource usage of a service over chunks of time on a single graph. This enables you to quickly spot certain times of the day or week that usage tends to be high, as well as anomalies to investigate further.

• Multistacked Performance Graphs

Multistacked graphing is one of the most powerful graphing features in Nagios XI, enabling you to combine any and as many services as you’d like onto a single graph for quick comparison and insight into the performance of many objects at once. One example of its use would be to visualize memory usage on several hosts in one place. Also note the Graph Options dropdown at the bottom of the graph options, which enables you to choose between area stacked (as shown below), area, line, and spline Line Type:

Metrics

Metrics is an excellent tool and is often overlooked. It provides a way to visualize current and historical performance filtered by categories, including Disk Usage, CPU Usage, Memory Usage, Load, and Swap.

Though not a graph, the Gauges tab is worth a mention, providing compact bar dashlets representing the percent usage of services, including colored lines representing their warning and critical thresholds:

Capacity Planning

Capacity planning is an Enterprise Edition favorite that enables you to project future usage based on the historical performance data collected by Nagios XI. Using this tool, you’ll be able to get ahead of resource overload by allocating additional storage and power to your machines before they need it.

Network Analyzer Traffic Analysis Tab

If you’re using Nagios Network Analyzer alongside XI for flow analysis, you’ll also notice an extra tab in your Host Detail pages labelled Network Traffic Analysis that will help you visualize what IPs the host is communicating with in a sharp-looking chord diagram.

Monitoring Engine Event Queue

This handy graph, found at Home >Monitoring Process > Process Info, provides insight into how busy the Nagios Core engine is currently, and over the upcoming 5 minutes.

To learn more about monitoring your monitoring servers, take a look at this article:

Monitor of Monitors: Easily Monitoring Nagios Servers

The Law of Averages

By default, Nagios XI will store your performance data in a Round Robyn Database for four years. The most recent data has the most granularity, while older data is averaged. This function significantly reduces the storage required to house your historical performance data. The general schedule as data ages is:

• 0 to 48 hours: 1-minute increments

• 48 hours to 10 days: 5-minute average

• 11 to 90 days: 30-minute average

• 92 days to 4 years: 6-hour average

If you’d like to dig further into the RRD file averaging function, this Knowledgebase article is a great resource:

Nagios XI: Performance Data Averaging

To learn more about using and managing graphs in Nagios XI, you can review this document:

Generating Graphs with Nagios XI 2024

And, if you aren’t using Nagios XI yet and would like to try out all of the features, you can find the free, fully functional trial here:

Nagios XI Free Trial Downloads

Why Use Automaps in NagVis?

Automaps provide several key benefits:

• Dynamic Network Visualization – Automatically generate and update network topology maps based on Nagios host dependencies.
• Reduced Manual Effort – Eliminates the need for manually placing and configuring network elements.
• Accurate Topology Representation – Ensures that network dependencies are properly visualized and reflect actual relationships.
• Improved Troubleshooting – Helps administrators quickly identify and resolve connectivity or dependency issues.

Prerequisites

Before configuring Automaps, ensure the following requirements are met:

• NagVis is pre-installed and configured in Nagios XI, eliminating the need for separate installation steps.
• Host dependencies are properly defined in Nagios.
• User has administrative access to NagVis settings.

Setting Up Automaps in NagVis

1. Navigating to Automaps Configuration

1. Log in to Nagios XI.
2. Navigate to Home > Maps > NagVis.

2. Configuring Automaps Settings

1. Click your map and then click Edit Map to open Automap configuration settings.
2. Adjust the following settings:
   • Hostgroup Selection – Choose which host groups to include in the Automap.
   • Layout Mode – Select from available layout styles (e.g., hierarchical, circular, force-directed).
   • Display Settings – Customize icons, background, and status indicators.
3. Click Save to apply changes.

3. Customizing Automap Appearance

Automaps allow customization to enhance visualization clarity:

• Node Size and Spacing – Adjust parameters to improve readability.
• Color Themes – Use status-based color coding to indicate host and service health.
• Labels and Annotations – Display essential network information on nodes.

4. Enabling Real-Time Updates

To ensure the Automap stays up to date:

1. Go to Edit Map > Map Options.
2. Enable Auto-Refresh to periodically update network topology.
3. Set a refresh interval (e.g., 60 seconds) to reflect changes dynamically.

Configuring Host Dependencies

For Automaps to generate accurate network representations, ensure that parent-child relationships between hosts are defined in Nagios XI:

1. Navigate to Configure > Core Config Manager > Monitoring > Hosts.
2. Select a host and assign appropriate parent hosts.
3. Apply configuration changes to update dependency relationships.

Best Practices for Automaps

• Define Clear Host Dependencies – Ensure host relationships are properly configured in Nagios to generate accurate maps.
• Optimize Layouts for Readability – Choose a layout mode that best represents your network structure.
• Use Status Indicators – Leverage color-coded status updates for quick issue identification.
• Regularly Review Automap Settings – Adjust settings as the network evolves to maintain accurate representations.

Automap Features in NagVis

Automaps dynamically render dependency structures using Nagios data. Advanced features may require tweaking settings in the NagVis configuration file (e.g., /usr/local/nagvis/etc/nagvis.ini.php). Note that very large networks may need optimization to avoid cluttered visuals.

My Experience with Automaps in NagVis

By implementing Automaps in my NagVis setup, I was able to create a dynamic visualization of my network infrastructure with minimal manual intervention. The ability to visualize real-time host dependencies and status updates has significantly improved my troubleshooting process and overall network awareness.

Conclusion

Automaps in NagVis provide a powerful way to automate network visualization by leveraging host dependencies in Nagios. By reducing manual effort and ensuring accurate topology representation, Automaps help IT administrators maintain clear and up-to-date network diagrams. Following best practices and leveraging customization options can further enhance the usability and effectiveness of NagVis Automaps in your monitoring environment.

NagVis is a powerful visualization tool for Nagios that allows IT administrators to create network maps and diagrams, providing an intuitive way to monitor system status. While NagVis comes with standard visualization options, adding custom images and backgrounds enhances clarity, improves recognition, and makes network diagrams more informative and visually appealing.

Why Add Images and Backgrounds to NagVis?

Using images and backgrounds in NagVis provides several advantages:

• Improved Readability – Icons and background maps make it easier to distinguish between different network components.
• Better Representation – A custom floor plan, rack diagram, or geographic map helps in visualizing device locations accurately.
• Faster Troubleshooting – Intuitive layouts allow administrators to spot issues quickly.
• Branding and Customization – Personalized themes align with an organization’s unique IT environment.

Prerequisites

This document assumes you already have NagVis installed. You can see documentation on starting out on NagVis here.

How to Add Custom Images to NagVis

NagVis allows you to use custom icons and images for hosts, services, and backgrounds. Follow these steps to integrate them:

1. Prepare Your Image Files

• Supported formats: PNG, JPG, and GIF.
• Ensure icons are appropriately sized (e.g., 32×32 pixels for small elements, larger for backgrounds).
• Save images with clear filenames.

2. Upload Images to NagVis

Click on Options and Manage Shapes to add icons or Manage Backgrounds to add a new background. Then, attach a file of your choosing.

Using your Custom Icons

Now that you have added some custom icons or backgrounds, you can add them to your map! On a map of your choosing Click Edit Map > Add Special > Shape.

Click on which ever part of the map you would like the icon to appear, and then select the image you uploaded as the Icon and click Save.

Using Custom Backgrounds

To add your custom background Navigate to Edit Map > Map Options.

Then, Click Appearance and select the map image that you uploaded.

Best Practices for Effective Visualizations

• Use Consistent Icon Sizes: Helps maintain uniformity.
• Choose High-Resolution Backgrounds: Avoid pixelation.
• Keep Maps Uncluttered: Use layers or multiple views if necessary.
• Leverage Status Colors: Ensure hosts/services change colors based on state.

Using these steps, I created my own custom NagVis background with unique icons to visualize my network. I started by designing a background image that represents my network topology, then uploaded custom icons for each key device. By carefully placing each element, I ensured my map was both functional and visually appealing.

Creating a personalized NagVis diagram allows you to tailor your network view to your exact needs. Get creative with icons and backgrounds to make your monitoring setup both efficient and visually engaging!

Conclusion

Enhancing NagVis with custom images and backgrounds makes network monitoring more intuitive and efficient. By personalizing your visualizations, you create a unique, clear, and easy-to-read network topology that aids in quick decision-making and faster troubleshooting. With these steps, your NagVis dashboards will be both functional and visually engaging, helping you manage your IT environment more effectively.

Prerequisites

Before installing NagVis, ensure that your Nagios XI instance is up-to-date and meets the following requirements:

• A fully operational Nagios XI instance
• NagVis installed and configured within Nagios XI
• Hosts and services actively monitored in Nagios XI
• Admin-level access to Nagios XI

Creating and Customizing Network Maps in NagVis

Types of Maps in NagVis

NagVis offers several types of maps for different visualization needs:

• Regular Maps: Custom-created maps where users manually place objects.
• Automaps: Automatically generated maps based on parent-child relationships in Nagios.
• Geomaps: Maps that integrate with geographic location data to visualize network components geographically.

Step 1: Setting Up a New Map

1. In the NagVis interface, go to Options > Manage Maps.
2. Click Add New Map and provide a meaningful name (e.g., Corporate_Network).
3. Choose the desired map background (grid, custom image, or blank canvas).

Step 2: Adding Elements to the Map

1. Click on Add Object and select Host, Service, or Group.

2. Search for the specific monitored host/service.

3. Place the element on the map and adjust its position.

4. Define visual properties such as icons, colors, and thresholds.

5. Save the map.

Step 3: Customizing Map Appearance

• Use custom icons to differentiate between servers, routers, and other network components.
• Configure status-dependent colors for quick identification of issues.
• Enable animations to highlight critical alerts dynamically.

Example Visualization

Below is an example of a NagVis-generated network map illustrating an organized infrastructure layout.

Best Practices

• Use hierarchical layouts: Organize components logically (e.g., core network at the top, branch offices below).
• Implement drill-down views: Link maps for in-depth navigation.
• Regularly update icons: Ensure clear representation of devices.
• Enable auto-refresh: Keep real-time monitoring active.

Conclusion

NagVis enhances Nagios XI by providing intuitive and highly customizable network visualizations. By following this guide, IT teams can effectively map their infrastructure, leading to improved monitoring and faster troubleshooting. Implementing best practices ensures that your network diagrams remain clear, up-to-date, and actionable.

Let’s explore the top 4 reasons you should use NagVis!

1. Seamless Integration with Nagios XI

NagVis is fully integrated into Nagios XI, meaning you don’t need to install or configure additional third-party tools to benefit from its features. To begin using NagVis, simply navigate to Home > Maps > NagVis:

The complete guide for using NagVis in Nagios XI can be found here.

2. Real-Time, Intuitive Network Visualization

NagVis transforms raw monitoring data into interactive visual representations, making it easier to understand the state of your network at a glance. Whether you’re managing servers, applications, or entire data centers, you can create custom maps that:

• Display live status updates for hosts and services
• Highlight problems with color-coded icons
• Show dependencies between network components with color-coded lines

By replacing text-heavy reports with visual maps, you can quickly diagnose issues and make informed decisions.

3. Customizable Displays for Better Monitoring

With NagVis, you can design personalized displays that suit your specific monitoring requirements. These dashboards allow you to:

• Combine multiple Nagios XI data sources into a single view
• Use background images like network topology diagrams, floor plans, global maps, and pictures of equipment
• Display performance data, statistics, and status information
• You can also put your displays on an automatic rotation

This high level of customizability ensures that your monitoring environment is tailored to your organization’s unique needs, reducing noise and focusing on what truly matters.

4. Enhanced Troubleshooting and Incident Response

NagVis plays a critical role in faster troubleshooting by providing visual alerts over custom-chosen and context-driven backgrounds. Features that improve incident response include:

• Automatic Status Updates: See real-time changes without refreshing
• Drill-Down Functionality: Click on problem areas for more details
• Dependency Views: Understand how issues in one system affect others
• Audio alerts: NagVis can even play a sound when warning or critical states occur.

By pinpointing root causes faster, IT teams can reduce downtime and improve overall system reliability.

Tips for Using NagVis

Here are a couple of helpful tips when using NagVis:

Creating New Maps and Adding Custom Background Images

This can be done in the Options menu:

Changing Your Map Background

To load your custom image as a map background, navigate to the Edit Map > Map Options > Appearance tab, then choose your map from the map_image dropdown:

How to Add Icons

Once your map is created, you can add icons to it via the Edit Map menu. In the process, choose the type and size of the icon to use, as well as the host, service, or other objects to tie the icon’s status:

My New Icon is Stuck Where I Dropped It!

After initial placement, your icon will be locked. Right-click the icon to unlock it so it can be moved and to see the variety of icon settings you can edit as needed.

Conclusion

NagVis is a powerful visualization tool that enhances Nagios XI by providing real-time status maps, custom dashboards, improved troubleshooting, and seamless integration out-of-the-box. If you’re managing complex IT environments, using NagVis can help you streamline operations, reduce downtime, and make better data-driven decisions.

Are you ready to take your network monitoring to the next level? Start using NagVis in Nagios XI today!

Monitoring IT infrastructure effectively is critical for maintaining uptime, performance, and security. “At-A-Glance” is a custom Nagios XI dashboard designed to provide a centralized view of system health, enabling administrators to make quick, informed decisions. This dashboard enhances observability and troubleshooting by presenting key performance metrics in an intuitive layout.

Overview of “At-A-Glance”

“At-A-Glance” consolidates various Nagios XI monitoring components into a single interface, making it easier to track host and service statuses, historical trends, and potential issues. The dashboard is structured to provide real-time updates, reducing the need for manual checks across multiple systems.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Status Grid for Hosts and Services
   The status grid presents an organized list of monitored hosts and their associated services. Using color-coded indicators (green for OK, yellow for warnings, red for critical), admins can instantly assess system health and pinpoint problem areas.
2. Performance Metrics and Historical Data
   By visualizing trends such as response times and packet loss, “At-A-Glance” allows IT teams to analyze performance over time. This helps in identifying recurring issues and optimizing system configurations to improve stability.
3. Network Outage Detection
   The dashboard highlights active network outages, providing insight into affected hosts and services. This allows administrators to respond proactively, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.
4. Monitoring Engine Status
   The dashboard includes details about the Nagios XI monitoring engine, such as process uptime, performance settings, and active checks. This ensures that the monitoring system itself is functioning correctly.
5. Availability and Event Logs
   A dedicated section for historical uptime data and event logs provides transparency into past incidents. Administrators can review service disruptions, track recovery times, and refine incident response strategies.
6. Update Notifications
   Keeping software up to date is crucial for security and performance. The dashboard provides Nagios XI update alerts, ensuring that administrators stay informed about new releases and patches.

How “At-A-Glance” Enhances IT Operations

• Efficiency: Reduces the time required to diagnose issues by centralizing key monitoring data.
• Proactive Monitoring: Helps administrators identify potential failures before they escalate.
• Improved Decision-Making: Provides historical insights that aid in resource planning and infrastructure scaling.
• Streamlined Troubleshooting: Offers a comprehensive view of system health, reducing the need to switch between multiple dashboards or logs.

Conclusion

The “At-A-Glance” Nagios XI dashboard transforms system monitoring into a seamless experience. By aggregating critical metrics into a single interface, it empowers IT teams with real-time insights, allowing them to maintain optimal performance and uptime. Whether overseeing a homelab or managing enterprise infrastructure, this dashboard is an invaluable tool for any administrator looking to enhance observability and operational efficiency.

On Nagios XI go to Dashboards > Manage Dashboards > Import and then add the file.

Infra-Scope Nexus: Unlocking the Power of Centralized Monitoring in Nagios XI

The Infra-Scope Nexus dashboard is a robust and versatile solution that brings clarity and control to your Nagios XI monitoring environment. Designed to simplify the complexities of managing IT infrastructures, this custom dashboard empowers administrators with actionable insights, real-time data, and powerful visualizations. Here’s how Infra-Scope Nexus proves its worth:

Why Infra-Scope Nexus is Invaluable

1. Centralized Visibility Across Your Network

Infra-Scope Nexus consolidates all critical metrics into a single, easy-to-navigate interface. By presenting real-time data on host statuses, service health, and performance trends, it reduces the need to switch between multiple views or tools. This centralized approach ensures administrators can:

• Detect and address issues quickly.
• Monitor uptime and health for the entire IT ecosystem in one place.

2. Comprehensive Real-Time Insights

With gauges, graphs, and heatmaps, Infra-Scope Nexus provides visual clarity on system health. Key features include:

• Latency Gauge: Instantly highlights network delays.
• Load Summary Donut Chart: Offers a quick assessment of resource usage.
• Service Heatmap: Visualizes uptime trends, helping to pinpoint recurring issues. These tools translate raw data into intuitive insights, allowing for better decision-making.

3. Proactive Alert Management

The “Latest Alerts” panel lists critical events as they occur, complete with detailed timestamps and suggested next steps. Administrators are equipped to:

• Respond Swiftly: Immediate visibility into critical issues.
• Take Informed Actions: Understand the nature and urgency of alerts at a glance.

4. Enhanced Troubleshooting with Status Grids

The dashboard’s “Status Grid” provides a tabular view of monitored devices and services, categorized by status (OK, Warning, Critical). This feature enables:

• Quick Identification of Problem Areas: Filter and sort by service or host to focus on what matters most.
• Detailed Analysis: Drill down into specific issues for in-depth troubleshooting.

5. Monitoring System Health Itself

The “System Component Status” section ensures that the Nagios XI monitoring engine is functioning properly. By continuously checking the health of components like the event manager, database maintenance, and the performance graph, Infra-Scope Nexus guarantees:

• Uninterrupted Monitoring: Detect and resolve internal monitoring issues before they escalate.
• Confidence in Results: Reliable data ensures accurate decision-making.

6. Actionable Threat Intelligence

The integration of global threat intelligence, like the “SANS Internet Storm Center Top 10 Rising Ports,” adds a layer of security monitoring. This feature:

• Strengthens Security Posture: Alerts administrators to potential threats, such as rising port activity.
• Enhances Awareness: Provides visibility into global trends impacting local systems.

7. Support for Capacity Planning

Historical data visualization, such as calendar heatmaps and performance trend graphs, allows administrators to:

• Plan Ahead: Identify resource bottlenecks and allocate accordingly.
• Improve SLA Compliance: Ensure consistent performance by addressing recurring issues proactively.

How Infra-Scope Nexus Benefits Nagios XI Users

1. Boosts Operational Efficiency: By streamlining monitoring workflows and reducing response times, this dashboard saves time and resources.
2. Improves Decision-Making: Visual data representations make complex metrics easier to understand and act upon.
3. Enhances System Reliability: Proactive alerts and component health monitoring help prevent downtime.
4. Strengthens Security: External threat intelligence keeps users informed of potential risks.
5. Scales with Your Needs: Fully customizable, Infra-Scope Nexus can adapt to unique organizational requirements.

Conclusion

Infra-Scope Nexus transforms the way administrators interact with their Nagios XI systems. By providing centralized monitoring, actionable insights, and real-time alerts, it empowers IT teams to maintain uptime, optimize performance, and secure their infrastructure effectively. Whether you’re troubleshooting an outage or planning for future growth, Infra-Scope Nexus ensures you’re always a step ahead.

To download this dashboard, view the GitHub here.

This document is intended for use by Nagios Users and Administrators who need to view graphs of their performance data in Nagios XI.

Nagios XI 2024 & 2026

Generating Graphs With Nagios XI 2026

Nagios XI 5.x (Legacy)

Generating Graphs With Nagios XI

You may also be interested in learning about creating Capacity Planning graphs and reports to project future usage based on historical performance data you’ve collected:

Nagios XI 2024 & 2026

Using Capacity Planning in XI 2026

Nagios XI 5.x (Legacy)

Using Capacity Planning in XI 5 (Legacy)

This document is intended for use by Nagios Administrators and Users.

Understanding-And-Using-Views-In-Nagios-Fusion.pdf

Using-Views-in-Nagios-Fusion-2024.pdf

NNA 2.x

Understanding_And_Using_Views_In_Network_Analyzer.pdf

NNA 2024

Using-Views-in-NNA-2024.pdf