Web REST API
The Instana web REST API allows for retrieval of data such as traces and metrics, as well as configuration, such as service extraction and user management. For more information, see Web REST API docs.
Tokens
In order to use the web REST API, you need to create an API token and assign permissions. There are two ways to create an API token that each requires a different permission.
Unit specific API tokens
Unit specific API tokens can be configured in the API token management page in Settings > Access control > API tokens by assigning varying permissions. In order to create or view API tokens, the user must have the API token configuration permission (assigned through a Instana group). Unit specific tokens can be seen/modified by anyone with the correct permission.
Personal API tokens
Personal tokens can be created Settings > User settings > Personal API tokens and only require a name to be set. This token "inherits" the permission of the creating user. If an Instana user has the user management permission, then so does the personal API token of said user. Users need Personal API token permission in order to use this feature.
These tokens can be used when individual accountability and traceability are of importance or when users do not want their own API tokens to be exposed to other users.