Multi-Graph Reports

Multi-graph reports combine data from different devices and components into a single report. You can create a graph definition and have it drawn once for each of a group of devices and components that you define. Alternatively, you can combine the data for those graphs into a single graph.

The groups of devices and components you assemble are called "collections". Specifying the graph definition to apply to collections is done through graph group objects. Multi-graph reports include their own graph definitions, and thus do not use the graph definitions that are defined in monitoring templates. To create a report that includes graphs defined on templates, use a Graph report instead.

Creating a multi-graph report

1. Navigate to REPORTS > Multi-Graph Reports
2. Click Add and select Add Multi-Graph Report from the popup menu.
3. Enter a name for the report in the Create Multi-Graph Report dialog box and click SUBMIT.

4. In the report edit page, enter or select values for the following:

   • Name: The name of the report as defined in the Create Multi-Graph Report dialog box.
   • Title: Enter a descriptive title to display in the list of reports for the report organizer.
   • Number of Columns: Specify the number of columns (1-3) in which graphs will be displayed on the report.

5. Click Save.

6. Add one or more of the following to define the source you want to graph:

   • Collections: Contain the devices and components you want tograph.
   • Graph Definitions: Describe the graphs you want on the report.
   • Graph Groups: Specify the collections and graph definition to use.

Adding collections

A collection comprises one or more collection items. A collection item can be a list of device classes, systems, groups, locations, or specific devices or components. A single collection may contain as many collection items as desired. A multi-graph report must contain at least one collection. Collections are shown in the Collections area of the report's Edit page.

To create a collection:

1. In the Collections area of the multi-graph report Edit page, click the Action icon and select Add Collection. The Add a Collection dialog box appears.

2. Enter a name for the collection, then click OK.

   The Multi-Graph Report Collection dialog box appears.

3. In the Add To Collection area, select collection items to add to the collection:

   1. Select a value for Item Type. If you select either Device Class, System, Group, or Location, then you can select one or more of the organizers to include in the collection. If you select Specific Device/Component, you will be able to choose from a list of all the devices in the system. You can use the Filter field to narrow the selection process. Selecting one or more devices will display a list of component names that apply to the selected devices.
   2. Select a value for Include Suborganizers?. If true, the collection will also include all organizers recursively beneath the selected organizer. These collection items are dynamic, when devices are added or removed from the organizers, they will appear or disappear from the report.
4. Click Add to Collection to create a new collection item for each of the selected organizers or specific device. The collection item appears in the Colllection Items area. If desired, you can re-order collection items. Their listed order determines the order in which the graphs are drawn, or the order that data is drawn on a combined graph.

Adding graph definitions

In the context of multi-graph reports, graph definitions are very similar to those in monitoring templates. Settings on the graph definition define basic parameters. Graph points are added to specify which data should be drawn.

The most significant differences between graph definitions in the two contexts is how datapoint graph points and threshold graph points are added. When adding a data point graph point to a graph definition in a performance template, you can select from a list of datapoints that are defined on that template. In the context of a multi-graph report, there are no graph point definitions listed. You must enter the name of the data point on the datapoint graph point dialog.

1. Click the Action icon in the Graph Definitions area of the Graph edit page and select Add Graph.

   The Add a New Graph dialog box appears.

2. Enter a name for the graph, then click OK.

   The Edit Graph Definition page appears.

3. Make any changes to the graph definition values displayed, then click Save.

4. Click the Action icon in the Graph Points section to perform the following:

   • Add data points (see next topic)
   • Add thresholds
   • Add a custom graph point
   • Delete a graph point
   • Re-sequence graph points

Adding data points

To add a data point to a graph definition:

1. Ensure that you have created a graph definition as part of your multi-graph report.
2. On the Graph Definition page, click the Action icon in the Graph Points section and select Add DataPoint.
3. Enter a DataPoint Name. The field will auto-populate based on your entry. Click OK to save the name.

4. Click the name of the graph point you want to define.

   The Edit screen appears.

5. Edit the fields based on your datapoint and the way you want data displayed. You can enter a custom RPN expression on this screen if needed.

6. Click Save.

Adding graph groups

Graph groups combine a graph definition with a collection to produce graphs for the report. In order for the report to show graphs, at least one graph group must be created.

To create a graph group:

1. Click the Action icon in the Graph Groups area of the Graph edit page and select Add Group.

   The Add a New Graph Group dialog box appears.

2. Enter a name for the graph group, then click OK.

   The Edit Graph Group Definition page appears.

3. Make any changes to the graph group values displayed:

   • Name: Identifies the graph group on the multi-graph report page. It does not appear on the report.
   • Collection: Select a collection that has been defined for this report.
   • Graph Definition: Select a graph definition that has been defined for this report.
   • Method: Choose between having the graph drawn once for each device and component in the collection or combining the data from all devices and components into a single graph. Options are:
     • Separate graph for each device: The graph definition is used to draw one graph for each device and component in the collection. Graphs will appear in the list in the same order they are specified in the collection.
     • All devices on a single graph: Draws one graph with the data from all devices and components included.

4. Click Save to save the graph group.

Re-sequencing graph group order

Graph groups are drawn in the order in which they are listed on the multi-graph report Edit page. To change the order of the graph groups:

1. On the Multi-Graph Edit Report page, edit the sequence order numbers (0,1, 2, and so on) beside the graph groups that you have defined.

2. From the Action icon, select Re-sequence items.

   The page refreshes and displays the graph groups in the re-sequenced order. Note: If a graph group results in multiple graphs, the graphs are drawn in the order that the collection items are listed in the corresponding collection. If a collection item specifies a device organizer, the order of devices drawn from that collection item is indeterminate.