5.9 KiB
Graph Templates
Graph Templates are Cacti objects that allows you to define how RRDtool is to render a Cacti Graph. Most RRDtool options are supported including CDEF's and VDEF's, Left and Right Axis, Ticks and Dashes, multiple Auto Scaling, Grid, and Legend Options.
The purpose of Graph Templates is to simplify the Automation process by pre-defining the layout of Graphs for various metrics that are to be monitored in Cacti. When used in Conjunction with Cacti's Graph Rules, you can automatically create just about any Data Query based Graph during Cacti's Network Discovery process.
The Graph Templates main screen looks like the image below:
The list shows template IDs, the number of attached graphs, default size, image format and vertical label. IDs are useful for CLI operations. Deletability is based on referencing graph instances, not simply on a device-template association. A template with attached graphs is shown as non-deletable.
The Actions menu contains:
Table 1. Graph template actions
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Delete | Remove a deletable template. |
| Duplicate | Create a separate copy of the template. |
| Change Settings | Apply selected common settings, such as graph dimensions. Review the confirmation form before applying them. |
| Full Sync Graphs | Reconcile attached graphs with the selected template's full definition. Use when quick synchronization is insufficient. |
| Quick Sync Graphs | Repair graph-item differences with less work than a full synchronization. Try this first for item mismatches. |
Synchronization changes existing graph definitions. Back up relevant database objects and review local graph inputs before applying a fleet-wide change.
The editor groups its fields into these sections:
Table 2. Graph template sections
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Graph Template Items | Ordered drawing and legend items. |
| Graph Item Inputs | Fields applied to one or more items; data-source inputs are normally created automatically. |
| Graph Template | Name, multiple-instance policy and data-source testing. |
| Common Options | Title, vertical label, image format, dimensions, base and slope mode. |
| Scaling Options | Automatic scaling and optional upper/lower bounds. |
| Grid Options | Canvas grid rendering. |
| Axis Options | Right-axis conversion and formatting. |
| Legend Options | Legend placement and formatting. |
Each of these sections are displayed below for reference. For more information on how to use these options, please visit the RRDtool Website.
The Graph Items make up what is draw within the canvas of the Graph. There are several Graph Item types including:
Table 3. Common graph item types
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| AREA | Fill a plotted area. |
| AREA:STACK | Stack an area on a preceding plotted item. |
| COMMENT | Print legend text, including supported replacement variables. |
| GPRINT | Print a value with a GPRINT preset and applicable CDEF or VDEF. |
| GPRINT:AVERAGE / LAST / MAX / MIN | Print a value using the selected consolidation function. |
| HRULE | Draw a horizontal rule using the configured value. |
| LEGEND | Create Current, Average and Maximum GPRINT items. |
| LEGEND_CAMM | Create Current, Average, Minimum and Maximum GPRINT items. |
| LINE1 / LINE2 / LINE3 | Draw a line of the selected width. |
| LINE:STACK | Stack a line on a preceding plotted item. |
| TEXTALIGN | Set alignment for subsequent text. |
| VRULE | Draw a vertical rule at a time position. |
The canvas is painted from the first Graph Item till the last with each successive Graph Item rendered on top of the previous. Please keep this in mind when creating a Graph Template.
Graph Template - General and Common Options
-
Name - Identifies the template in Cacti; it is separate from the graph's title pattern. A prefix such as
Net-SNMPcan help organize related templates. -
Multiple Instances - Allow more than one graph of this template on a device through the New Graphs interface.
-
Test Data Sources - Require a valid data-source response before creating a graph. This helps a generic device template select applicable measurements. Long-running scripts can increase graph-creation time when testing is enabled.
Common options set the title pattern, vertical label, dimensions and image
format. Use base 1000 for decimal scaling, such as traffic, and 1024 for
binary scaling, such as memory. Decimal MB and binary MiB are different unit
conventions; MiB means mebibytes. The base controls display scaling, not a
conversion of stored measurements. Slope Mode smooths the rendered lines.
Graph Template - Scaling Options
The Scaling Options allow the Administrator to apply either Rigid or Auto Scaling settings to the resulting Graph. These options are fairly self explanatory. However, you can always view the RRDtool Documentation online for more information.
Graph Template - Grid Options
The Grid Options are rarely necessary unless you have specific requirements to render the resulting Graphs with some exotic unit.
Graph Template - Axis Options
The Axis Options allow you to define a Right Axis and optional Formatters.
Graph Template - Legend Options
The Legend options allow you to specify how the Legend should be placed on the resulting Graph modern RRDtool has several options that were not available in Cacti prior to Cacti 1.0.
Copyright (c) 2004-2026 The Cacti Group