OpenTelemetry-based sensor SDK (public preview)
Instana provides extensive support for a wide range of technologies. For more information, see Configuring and monitoring supported technologies. You can open a feature request for nonsupported technologies for a new sensor. For more information, see feature request, or create an OpenTelemetry-based data collector. For more information, see OpenTelemetry-based data collectors. The data collectors can work with pre-built generic sensors in Instana to inject the monitoring data. For more information, see OpenTelemetry-based generic sensors.
OpenTelemetry-based generic sensors
Instana builds generic sensors that are categorized by technology and are intended to align with the areas that are defined in metric domains. For more information, see OpenTelemetry Semantic Conventions.
The generic sensor currently provides support for operating systems, databases, and AI, including various large language models (LLMs) and LLM applications.
OpenTelemetry-based data collectors
The OpenTelemetry-based data collectors for operating systems, databases, and AI are open sourced. They are separated from the Instana agent and run as stand-alone programs to collect the defined custom metrics. For more information, see OpenTelemetry based Data Collector for Telemetry Data.
Understanding OpenTelemetry-based data collectors
The OpenTelemetry-based data collectors collect and send the OpenTelemetry Protocol (OTLP) metrics through the OpenTelemetry metric service that are accessible in the Instana agent. The Instana agent then initiates a specialized type of generic sensor, which combines and resends the metrics to the Instana backend.
Instana constructs predefined common metrics based on semantic conventions and accommodates custom metrics from the data collectors. Both types of metrics are seamlessly consolidated with Instana entities from generic sensors. Additionally, all these metrics can also be used to create customized events and dashboards.
Engaging with OpenTelemetry-based data collectors
For more information about OpenTelemetry-based data collectors, see open sourced git repo. The open source Git repository not only covers installation instructions, but also includes sample data collectors and an implementation framework. You can use these resources to create your own data collectors for databases.