Forum Discussion
Azure VMs host (platform) metrics (not guest metrics) to the log analytics workspace ?
Hi Team,
Can some one help me how to send Azure VMs host (platform) metrics (not guest metrics) to the log analytics workspace ?
Earlier some years ago I used to do it, by clicking on “Diagnostic Settings”, but now if I go to “Diagnostic Settings” tab its asking me to enable guest level monitoring (guest level metrics I don’t want) and pointing to a Storage Account. I don’t see the option to send the these metrics to Log analytics workspace.
I have around 500 azure VMs whose host (platform) metrics (not guest metrics) I want to send it to the log analytics workspace.
3 Replies
Yes, you may follow the steps:
- Go to Azure Monitor > Metrics Data Export
- Select Virtual Machine Host namespace
- Choose metrics (e.g., Percentage CPU, Network In/Out)
- Set destination to Log Analytics workspace
- Apply to multiple VMs using Resource Group or Subscription scope
Azure Monitor Metrics Export Generally Available | Microsoft Community Hub
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/data-collection/data-collection-rule-overview
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/metrics/data-platform-metrics
You want host-level VM metrics such as CPU, disk, and network for about 500 machines in Log Analytics without guest monitoring. Platform metrics are collected automatically in Azure Monitor Metrics; the guest-monitoring prompt is a different path. Use Metrics Export with a data collection rule. In Azure Monitor, create a DCR with Platform telemetry, select the required VM metrics, choose the Log Analytics workspace, then associate the 500 VMs. Keep the DCR and workspace in the same region; monitored VMs may be elsewhere. New records land in AzureMetricsV2, normally within minutes, although initial appearance can take longer. Use Azure Policy or infrastructure-as-code to maintain associations as VMs are added. This exports new metrics only, not historical data. For historical cross-resource queries, use the Metrics Batch API. Azure Monitor Agent is not required for this platform-metrics route.
Go to the VM resource in Azure Portal
Navigate to Monitor → Metrics to confirm platform metrics are available.
Set Diagnostic Settings
In the VM blade, open Monitoring → Diagnostic settings.
Click + Add diagnostic setting.
Select Metrics (platform metrics).
Choose Send to Log Analytics workspace as the destination.
Pick your workspace.
Save.
Verify in Log Analytics
In your workspace, run a query such as:
InsightsMetrics
| where Namespace == "vm.azm.ms"
| summarize avg(Val) by Name, bin(TimeGenerated, 5m)
This confirms host metrics are flowing.
