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

  1. Log in to the Azure Portal:

  2. 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

  1. Access the Dashboard Blade:

    • On the left-hand side menu, select "Dashboard".

    • Click on "New dashboard" at the top left of the dashboard pane.

  2. 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

  1. 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).

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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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