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Installation
You must install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin to analyze and visualize RMF Monitor III metrics and reports.

Overview
Grafana is a platform for monitoring and visualizing data. It enables users to create, explore, and share dashboards that are interactive and customizable. The IBM® RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin provides effortless analysis and visualization of Resource Measurement Facility for z/OS (RMF for z/OS) Monitor III metrics and reports within the Grafana platform. Thereby, you can monitor and analyze the health and performance of applications.
Release notes
This article covers the new features and enhancements in the IBM RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin.
Prerequisites
Before you install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin, ensure that the following software requirements are met.
Installation
You must install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin to analyze and visualize RMF Monitor III metrics and reports.
- Installing the plugin by using Grafana UI
  This is the easiest and recommended method to install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin. You can install the plugin directly from the Grafana plugin catalog by using the Grafana web interface without requiring command-line access.
- Installing the plugin by using Grafana CLI
  You can install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin by using the Grafana command-line interface. Use this method if you need to install a specific version or automate the installation.
- Installing the plugin by using Docker
  You can install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin along with Grafana within a Docker container. Use this method if you are running Grafana in a containerized environment.
- Installing the plugin v2.0.0 or earlier
  If you are installing a version of the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin earlier than 2.0.1, you must configure Grafana to allow loading unsigned plugins.
Upgrading the plugin
You must ensure that the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin is up to date to leverage its enhanced functionalities. You can do so by either installing or upgrading to the latest version of the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin.
Creating RMF data sources
To access RMF Monitor III metrics in Grafana, you need to connect to the Distributed Data Server (DDS) by adding an RMF data source.
Dashboards
The IBM RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin provides pre-built sample dashboards that you can install, as well as the ability to import dashboards from other sources and integrate with IBM Z OMEGAMON dashboards.
Applying visualization to RMF data
By adding panels to dashboards, you can effectively present your RMF data in a visual format. Each panel must require at least one query to display a significant visualization.
IBM RMF query languages
In Grafana, queries are essential for fetching and transforming data from RMF data sources.
RMF Variable Query syntax
Variables are a powerful tool to create more interactive and dynamic dashboards. They offer a way to replace hard-coded values in metric queries and panel titles with placeholders for values.
Alerts
Grafana Alerting feature provides a reliable solution to detect and respond to system issues in real time.
Historical data
In Grafana, you can view historical data using absolute and relative time ranges.
Error types
Whenever you encounter issues while using the IBM RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin, you can view detailed error messages that contain sufficient information to help you identify and troubleshoot the problem.
Troubleshooting issues
This section guides how to analyze and address typical issues that may arise when using the IBM® RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin.
Grafana through z/OSMF
When you use IBM® z/OS Management Facility to monitor the performance of the z/OS sysplexes in your environment, you can also access Grafana dashboards from z/OSMF.
PDF Guide
You can find the link to view or download IBM RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin user guide as a PDF file.

Installing the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin v2.0.1 or later

You must install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin to analyze and visualize RMF Monitor III metrics and reports.

Starting from version 2.0.1, the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin is signed by Grafana Labs and available in the Grafana plugin catalog. You can install it by using any of the following methods:

Method	Description
Grafana UI	The easiest and recommended method. Install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin directly from the Grafana plugin catalog by using the Grafana web interface. No command-line access is required.
Grafana CLI	Install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin by using the Grafana command-line interface. Use this method if you need to install a specific version or automate the installation.
Docker	Install the RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin along with Grafana within a Docker container. Use this method if you are running Grafana in a containerized environment.

Note: To install a version earlier than 2.0.1, see Installing RMF for z/OS Grafana plugin v2.0.0 or earlier.