> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/tutorials/observability/monitoring-service/use-ionos-grafana-as-external-prometheus-datasource.md).

# Query Monitoring Service Metrics from Your External Grafana Instance

## Overview

This tutorial shows how to connect your external Grafana instance (such as Grafana Cloud) to the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Monitoring Service. It uses the internal Grafana datasource proxy as a Prometheus-compatible endpoint. No VPN or agent is required.

## Target audience

This tutorial benefits developers, DevOps engineers, and platform teams who use an external Grafana instance (such as Grafana Cloud) and want to visualize metrics from the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Monitoring Service alongside their existing dashboards. This tutorial assumes basic familiarity with:

* Grafana datasource configuration.
* HTTP authentication headers.
* The <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Console.

## What you will learn

* How to create a service account token in the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> internal Grafana.
* How to locate the Grafana Mimir datasource Unique Identifier (UID).
* How to configure a different Grafana to query <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Monitoring Service metrics.

## Before you begin

Ensure you have:

* An active <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> account with Monitoring Service activated.
* An external Grafana instance, for example [<mark style="color:blue;">Grafana Cloud</mark>](https://grafana.com/products/cloud/).
* Access to the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Grafana for monitoring services at `https://grafana.logging.<region>.ionos.com`.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:**

* Metrics are transmitted outside the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> platform. When you connect your external Grafana instance, metrics are read from <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Monitoring Service and processed by that instance. The <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Data Processing Agreement covers processing within <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> and does not extend to your external Grafana provider. You are responsible for the agreement with that provider and for the lawfulness of the transfer.
* <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Monitoring Service stores metrics in the region of your monitoring pipeline. Once queried, they are processed wherever your external Grafana instance runs. If data residency is a requirement, select an external Grafana region accordingly.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Review your metric labels before exporting. Metric values are typically aggregates, but metric labels can contain personal data. For example IP addresses, user or account identifiers, e-mail addresses, or hostnames that identify individuals. Check which label sets you expose through the data source proxy and involve your data protection officer where they contain such fields.
{% endhint %}

## Cost considerations

This tutorial uses an existing <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Monitoring Service subscription. No additional resources are created, so no extra charges apply. If you do not have Monitoring Service activated yet, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Monitoring Service User Guide</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/observability/monitoring-service/billing) for pricing information.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Metrics and logs collection is opt-in per resource. If Monitoring Service is not activated for a specific resource, no data will appear in Grafana for that resource.
{% endhint %}

## Procedure

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create a service account token in the IONOS CLOUD Grafana

1. Go to `https://grafana.logging.<region>.ionos.com/org/serviceaccounts`.
2. Click **Add service account** button, enter a name such as `metrics-reader`, and set role to **Viewer**.
3. Open the service account, click **Add token** button, click **Generate token** button.
4. Copy the token immediately. It is shown only once. Store it in a password manager.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Create the token in the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> **Grafana**, not your external Grafana instance.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Get the Grafana Mimir datasource UID

In the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Grafana, go to **Connections > Data sources > Mimir**. The UID is in the browser URL:

```
.../connections/datasources/edit/<mimir-uid>
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** The Grafana Mimir datasource UID differs per region. Always look it up in the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Grafana instance for the region you are connecting to.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add the datasource in your external Grafana

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important:** If you are using Grafana Cloud, do not edit the provisioned `grafanacloud-*-prom` datasource. That one is locked. Add a new datasource instead.
{% endhint %}

1. In your external Grafana, go to **Connections , Data sources , Add new data source , Prometheus**.
2. Configure it with these values (You will need <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Grafana service account and Grafana Mimir UID):

| Field                       | Value                                                                              |
| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**                    | `ionos-monitoring`                                                                 |
| **Prometheus server URL**   | `https://grafana.logging.<region>.ionos.com/api/datasources/proxy/uid/<mimir-uid>` |
| **Prometheus type**         | Mimir                                                                              |
| **Authentication method**   | No Authentication                                                                  |
| **HTTP Headers — Header 1** | Name: `Authorization` / Value: `Bearer <token>`                                    |
| **HTTP Headers — Header 2** | Name: `X-Grafana-Org-Id` / Value: `org`                                            |

3. Click **Save & test**.

A *"Successfully queried the Prometheus API"* message confirms the connection.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Query your metrics

Go to **Explore**, select the `ionos-monitoring` datasource.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Metrics collection is opt-in per resource. If you see no data, verify that Monitoring Service is activated for the resources you want to observe. Refer to the [<mark style="color:blue;">Monitoring Service User Guide</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/observability/monitoring-service) for activation steps.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Troubleshooting

**Save & test returns an error**

* Check that the `Authorization` header value starts with `Bearer` (note the space).
* Verify the `<mimir-uid>` in the URL matches exactly what appears in the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Grafana datasource URL.
* Make sure the service account token was created in the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Grafana, not in your external Grafana.

**Metrics do not appear in Grafana Explore**

* Monitoring Service data collection is opt-in per resource. Verify the resources you want to monitor have Monitoring Service activated.
* Check that the datasource test passed successfully before querying.

## Decommission resources

When you no longer need the connection, delete the service account token to prevent unauthorized access:

1. Go to `https://grafana.logging.<region>.ionos.com/org/serviceaccounts`.
2. Open the service account , find the token , click **Delete token**.

You can also delete the entire service account if it is no longer needed.

## Next steps

* Set a token expiry date and add a calendar reminder to rotate it before it expires.
* Explore available metrics using the metrics browser in Grafana Explore.
* To add logs alongside metrics, use the **Loki** datasource UID from the same proxy endpoint.


---

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