---
title: "graphite: Send metrics to Graphite"
url: "https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-destinations/configuring-destinations-graphite/"
last_modified: "2026-08-02T11:39:11+02:00"
---

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/llms.txt).

# graphite: Send metrics to Graphite

The `graphite()` destination can send metrics to a [Graphite](http://graphite.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html) server to store numeric time-series data. There are many ways to feed the Graphite template function with name value pairs. The AxoSyslog CSV and PatternDB parsers (for details, see [Using pattern parsers](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-parsers/chapter-patterndb/reference-parsers-pattern-databases/syslog-ng-patterndb-using-parsers/index.md)) can parse log messages and generate name value pairs based on message content. The CSV parser (for details, see [Parsing messages with comma-separated and similar values](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-parsers/csv-parser/index.md)) can be used for logs that have a constant field based structure, like the Apache web server access logs. The [patterndb() parser] can parse information and can extract important fields from free form log messages, as long as patterns describing the log messages are available. Another way is to send JSON-based log messages (for details, see [JSON parser](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-parsers/json-parser/index.md)) to AxoSyslog, like running a simple shell script collecting metrics and running it from cron regularly.

## Prerequisites

- Install the `axosyslog-scl` package on [Debian/Ubuntu](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/install/debian-ubuntu/index.md). On [RHEL and compatible distributions](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/install/rhel-fedora-almalinux/index.md), the SCL files are part of the `axosyslog` base package.

  Your configuration must also contain `@include "scl.conf"`, which the default configuration file already does. If the SCL files are missing, AxoSyslog fails to start with an [`unexpected LL_IDENTIFIER` error](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-troubleshooting-syslog-ng/unexpected-ll-identifier/index.md).

  ```shell
  @include "scl.conf"
  ```
- On [Debian/Ubuntu](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/install/debian-ubuntu/index.md), this feature is available in a separate module: install the `axosyslog-mod-graphite` package. On [RHEL and compatible distributions](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/install/rhel-fedora-almalinux/index.md), it’s part of the `axosyslog` base package. If the module isn’t installed, AxoSyslog fails to start with an [`unexpected LL_IDENTIFIER` error](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-troubleshooting-syslog-ng/unexpected-ll-identifier/index.md).

## Declaration:

```shell
graphite(payload());
```

## Example: Using the graphite() driver

To use the `graphite()` destination, the only mandatory parameter is payload, which specifies the value pairs to send to Graphite. In the following example any value pairs starting with `"monitor."` are forwarded to Graphite.

```shell
destination d_graphite { graphite(payload("--key monitor.*")); };
```

> **Note:**
> The `graphite()` destination is only a wrapper around the `network()` destination and the `graphite-output` template function. If you want to fine-tune the TCP parameters, use the `network()` destination instead, as described in [graphite-output](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-manipulating-messages/customizing-message-format/reference-template-functions/index.md).

---

[graphite() destination options](https://axoflow.com/docs/axosyslog-core/4.28/chapter-destinations/configuring-destinations-graphite/reference-destination-graphite/index.md)

Last modified August 2, 2026: [Adds required modules/packages to install and destination pages (553d6d9b)](https://github.com/axoflow/axosyslog-core-docs/commit/553d6d9be9a0e3ef444e62cc5351dd2ac764f01d)