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How to edit or add metric dictionary entries

Use the METRIC DICTIONARY dialog to edit an existing entry or add a new entry to your metric dictionary.

  1. Open the METRIC DICTIONARY dialog.

    • On the METRICS tab of the ADMIN > Dictionary page, click ADD ITEM.

      Users with the Manager role can edit or add entries from the ADMIN > Dictionary page.

    • On a dashboard page, click the vertical ellipsis (⋮)
      inside a tile.

    • On a Smart View page, click the vertical ellipsis (⋮) inside a primary metric tile.

      Any user can edit a metric dictionary entry from a dashboard or Smart View page.

    The lower-left corner of the dialog includes additional buttons in the following circumstances:

    • If the metric has a Zenoss default entry that you customized, the dialog includes a REVERT TO DEFAULT button.
    • If the metric has a customized entry and no Zenoss default entry, the dialog includes a DELETE button.

  2. Edit or add an entry.

    Field Description
    Metric name

    The name of the metric, assigned by the data source.

    • When you open the editor on a Smart View or dashboard page, the Metric name field is read-only.
    • When you open the editor from the metric dictionary administration page, the Metric name field is a search field. The search scope includes all the metrics associated with your organization, not just the metrics in the dictionary.
    Metric label A short name for a metric. If provided, this name is used in place of the metric name.
    Description A longer, free-form statement about a metric. The statement is used in hover text when the pointer is over the metric name or label.
    Units

    The unit of measurement a metric represents.

    You can select from the units already defined in the dictionary or enter a new unit.
    Conversion The units to which data points are converted.
    Scale factor

    The multiplier in data point conversions. For example, 0.01.
    Minimum value A guideline for the lowest possible value of data points in a graph: 0 for counters, 0 for percentages, and so on.
    Maximum value A guideline for the highest possible value of data points in a graph: 100 for percentages, and so on.
    Tags One or more arbitrary terms to associate with a metric. The tags namespace is shared among all dictionary types.

  3. Click SAVE.