Graphite vs collectd: What are the differences?

# Key Differences between Graphite and Collectd

Graphite and collectd are both tools used for monitoring and graphing purposes, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Here are the main differences between Graphite and collectd:

1. **Data Storage**: Graphite stores data in a time-series database called Whisper, while collectd uses RRDtool for storing collected data points. Whisper allows for better scalability and flexibility in managing large amounts of data compared to RRDtool.

2. **Data Collection**: Graphite primarily focuses on graphing and visualization of data, while collectd is more focused on collecting system performance data. Collectd can gather a wide range of metrics from various sources, making it a versatile monitoring tool.

3. **Data Retention Policies**: Graphite allows for more customizable data retention policies, enabling users to define how long data should be stored. On the other hand, collectd has predefined data retention policies that might not be as flexible as those in Graphite.

4. **Architecture**: Graphite is made up of three components: Carbon for receiving data, Whisper for storing data, and Graphite web for visualization. Collectd, on the other hand, is a lightweight daemon that collects data and sends it to a central server for processing.

5. **Plugin Ecosystem**: Collectd has a vast plugin ecosystem that allows users to extend its functionality and monitor a wide range of systems and applications. Graphite, while extensible, might not have as extensive a plugin ecosystem as collectd.

6. **Usage**: Graphite is more commonly used for monitoring and graphing metrics related to server performance and application behavior. Collectd, on the other hand, is more geared towards system administrators and developers who need to collect and analyze system performance data in real-time.

In Summary, Graphite and collectd have distinct differences in terms of data storage, collection, retention policies, architecture, plugin ecosystem, and usage scenarios.