Problem Statement:
One of our clients has been facing ongoing challenges with their Grafana-based data analytics platform, characterized by frequent automatic logouts and multiple concurrent logins for the same user. These session management issues disrupt the team’s workflow, impede data analysis, and lead to user frustration, ultimately affecting overall productivity. The client relies on Grafana for real-time dashboard monitoring, but these session-related issues prevent seamless data visualization and analysis.
Solution Overview:
| Method | Advantages | Limitations |
| Utilizing access tokens through Grafana API for data retrieval | Enabled programmatic data access using API tokens, reducing dependency on session-based authentication. Enhanced security by limiting token scopes and expiration policies. | API calls resulted in forced redirection to the login dashboard due to Grafana’s session validation mechanism, leading to inefficiencies in automated workflows. |
| Snapshot embedding via Grafana’s built-in snapshot feature | Generated static snapshots of Grafana panels at a specific timestamp, allowing historical data preservation and report sharing. Removed the need for live authentication, improving accessibility. | Snapshots do not support real-time updates, meaning displayed data can become outdated, making them unsuitable for dynamic monitoring needs. |
| Iframe embedding using a secured public link with domain restriction | Enabled real-time dashboard rendering within external applications via an iframe, maintaining live updates. Enhanced security through Apache reverse proxy configuration, ensuring restricted access. | No limitations identified as the solution adhered to security and operational requirements. |
Tech Stack Leveraged:
Benefits Delivered:
- Seamless User Experience: Eliminated session timeout issues and prevented redundant logins.
- Real-time Data Access: Enabled live dashboard monitoring through secured iframe embedding.
- Improved Security: Restricted unauthorized access using reverse proxy and Apache configurations.
- Enhanced Reporting: Enabled snapshot embedding for static reports where necessary.
