diff --git a/docs/sources/datasources/concepts.md b/docs/sources/datasources/concepts.md index 20c5e9c6afe..fb869436894 100644 --- a/docs/sources/datasources/concepts.md +++ b/docs/sources/datasources/concepts.md @@ -126,15 +126,14 @@ In contrast, integrations focus on getting data into Grafana Cloud’s hosted ba Use the following table to compare how data sources, plugins, and integrations differ in scope, purpose, and use. It highlights where each applies within Grafana, what problems it solves, and how they work together to build observability solutions. -| Concept | Where it applies | Purpose | What it includes | When to use it | Example | -| ---------------------- | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -| **Data source** | Grafana (self-hosted and Cloud) | Connects Grafana to an external system that stores metrics, logs, or traces. | Connection settings, authentication details, query configuration. | You want to visualize data from a database, monitoring system, or API. | Prometheus, CloudWatch, PostgreSQL, Loki | -| **Plugin** | Grafana (self-hosted and Cloud) | Extends Grafana’s core platform with new capabilities. | Three types: data source, panel and app. | You need to connect to a data source, or functionality not included by default. | Plotly panel, MongoDB data source, Redis Application | -| **App plugin** | Grafana (self-hosted and Cloud) | Bundles multiple plugin types and adds custom pages or UI. | Data source + panel plugins + custom routes and integrations. | You want to create a dedicated app-like experience in Grafana. | Azure Cloud Native Monitoring, Metrics Drilldown | -| **Panel plugin** | Grafana (self-hosted and Cloud) | Adds new visualization types to dashboards. | Custom panels and visualization logic. | You want to display data in new visual forms beyond Grafana’s built-ins. | Pie chart, Candlestick, Plotly, Geomap | -| **Data source plugin** | Grafana (self-hosted and Cloud) | Enables Grafana to connect to a new type of external system. | Driver or connector code that defines how Grafana queries that system. | You need to access data from an unsupported or proprietary backend. | Databricks, MongoDB, MSSQL | -| **Integration** | Grafana Cloud only | Provides a pre-packaged observability solution for a specific technology. | Telemetry configuration, dashboards, alert rules, recording rules. | You want an out-of-the-box setup with minimal configuration, where Grafana manages the data. | Kubernetes, Redis, NGINX, AWS EC2 | -| **Relationship** | — | How they interact | Plugins extend Grafana’s capabilities. Data sources define where data comes from. Integrations combine both to deliver a complete solution. | Use all three together for full observability. | Install a data source plugin → configure a data source → enable an integration. | +| Concept | Where it applies | Purpose | What it includes | When to use it | Example | +| ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | +| **Data source** | Self-hosted and Cloud | Connect to external metrics, logs, or traces storage | Connection settings, auth, query config | Visualize data from a database or monitoring system | Prometheus, CloudWatch, PostgreSQL | +| **Plugin** | Self-hosted and Cloud | Extend Grafana with new capabilities | Three types: data source, panel, and app | Add connectivity or functionality not included by default | Plotly panel, MongoDB data source | +| **App plugin** | Self-hosted and Cloud | Bundle plugins with custom pages or UI | Data source + panel plugins + custom routes | Create a dedicated app-like experience | Azure Cloud Native Monitoring | +| **Panel plugin** | Self-hosted and Cloud | Add new visualization types | Custom panels and visualization logic | Display data beyond built-in visualizations | Pie chart, Candlestick, Geomap | +| **Data source plugin** | Self-hosted and Cloud | Connect to a new external system type | Connector code for querying that system | Access data from an unsupported backend | Databricks, MongoDB, MSSQL | +| **Integration** | Grafana Cloud only | Pre-packaged observability for a specific technology | Telemetry config, dashboards, alerts, recording rules | Get an out-of-the-box setup with minimal configuration | Kubernetes, Redis, NGINX | For detailed documentation and how-to guides related to data sources, plugins, and integrations, refer to the following references: