# 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](../../docs/axosyslog-core/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](../../docs/axosyslog-core/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](../../docs/axosyslog-core/chapter-parsers/json-parser/index.md)) to AxoSyslog, like running a simple shell script collecting metrics and running it from cron regularly.

## Declaration:
```
       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.
```
 
       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](../../docs/axosyslog-core/chapter-manipulating-messages/customizing-message-format/reference-template-functions/index.md). 

* * *

[graphite() destination options](../../docs/axosyslog-core/chapter-destinations/configuring-destinations-graphite/reference-destination-graphite/index.md)

Last modified December 18, 2024: [Formatting fixes (77e84284)](<https://github.com/axoflow/axosyslog-core-docs/commit/77e842849f6c74e026ed3358ed84297b65a1610d>)