# RRDtool

> OpenSource industry standard (time series data: logging and graphing system)

**Wikidata**: [Q1049812](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1049812)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RRDtool)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rrdtool

## Summary
RRDtool is an open-source industry standard for time series data logging and graphing, widely used for monitoring and visualization in Unix-like systems. It is particularly known for its efficient storage and retrieval of time-stamped data, making it a foundational tool in system administration and network monitoring.

## Key Facts
- **Open-source software** distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.
- **Developed by** Tobias Oetiker, with the first stable release in 2002 (exact date not specified in source).
- **Operates on** Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and BSD variants.
- **Primary use** for logging and graphing time series data, such as network traffic, server performance, and environmental metrics.
- **Storage format** relies on Berkeley DB for efficient data handling.
- **Latest stable version** is 1.7.1, released on February 4, 2019.
- **Aliases** include RRD (Round Robin Database).
- **Integrated with** monitoring tools like Cacti for visualization.
- **Available as packages** for major Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE) and BSD systems.
- **Programming language** primarily C, with bindings available for Ruby and Python.

## FAQs
### Q: What is RRDtool used for?
A: RRDtool is primarily used for logging and graphing time series data, such as network traffic, server performance metrics, and environmental monitoring. It is a foundational tool in system administration and network monitoring.

### Q: Is RRDtool free to use?
A: Yes, RRDtool is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it.

### Q: What operating systems does RRDtool support?
A: RRDtool runs on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and BSD variants, making it widely compatible with most server and embedded systems.

### Q: How does RRDtool store data?
A: RRDtool uses a Round Robin Database (RRD) format, which is optimized for time series data and relies on Berkeley DB for efficient storage and retrieval.

### Q: Who developed RRDtool?
A: RRDtool was developed by Tobias Oetiker, with contributions from the open-source community. The project is hosted on GitHub under the rrdtool-1.x repository.

## Why It Matters
RRDtool has become a cornerstone of system monitoring and data visualization due to its efficient handling of time series data. Its ability to store large volumes of time-stamped data in a compact format while supporting high-resolution graphs makes it indispensable for administrators and engineers. The tool’s integration with monitoring systems like Cacti has further cemented its role in IT infrastructure management. By providing a standardized way to log and visualize performance metrics, RRDtool simplifies the process of tracking and analyzing system behavior over time. Its open-source nature ensures widespread adoption and continuous improvement, making it a reliable choice for both small-scale and large-scale deployments.

## Notable For
- **Industry Standard**: RRDtool is widely regarded as the de facto standard for time series data logging and graphing in Unix-like environments.
- **Efficient Storage**: Uses a Round Robin Database (RRD) format optimized for time series data, ensuring minimal storage overhead.
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Available as packages for major Linux distributions and BSD systems, ensuring broad adoption.
- **Integration with Monitoring Tools**: Often used in conjunction with systems like Cacti for comprehensive monitoring solutions.
- **Active Development**: Regular updates, with the latest stable version (1.7.1) released in 2019, indicating ongoing maintenance and community support.

## Body
### Overview
RRDtool is an open-source utility for logging and graphing time series data, designed to efficiently store and retrieve time-stamped data. It is particularly valued for its ability to handle large volumes of data while maintaining high-resolution graphs, making it ideal for system monitoring and performance tracking.

### Development and Licensing
- **Developer**: Tobias Oetiker, with contributions from the open-source community.
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later, ensuring free and open-source distribution.
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub under the [rrdtool-1.x repository](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x).

### Technical Specifications
- **Storage Format**: Uses a Round Robin Database (RRD) format, leveraging Berkeley DB for efficient data handling.
- **Operating Systems**: Designed for Unix-like systems, including Linux and BSD variants.
- **Programming Language**: Primarily written in C, with bindings available for Ruby and Python.

### Versions and Releases
- **Latest Version**: 1.7.1, released on February 4, 2019.
- **Key Releases**:
  - 1.5.0 (April 16, 2015)
  - 1.6.0 (April 19, 2016)
  - 1.7.0 (May 17, 2017)

### Integration and Compatibility
- **Monitoring Systems**: Often integrated with tools like Cacti for visualization and alerting.
- **Package Availability**: Available as packages for major Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE) and BSD systems (e.g., FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD).

### Usage and Applications
- **Primary Use Cases**: Network traffic monitoring, server performance tracking, and environmental data logging.
- **Aliases**: Commonly referred to as RRD (Round Robin Database) in documentation and discussions.

### Community and Support
- **Community**: Actively maintained with contributions from the open-source community.
- **Documentation**: Official documentation and user guides available on the [project website](https://oss.oetiker.ch/rrdtool).

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/blob/master/COPYRIGHT)
2. [Source](https://www.openhub.net/p/rrdtool/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
3. [Source](http://oss.oetiker.ch/rrdtool/pub/?M=D)
4. [Release 1.5.3. 2015](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.3)
5. [Release 1.6.0. 2016](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.6.0)
6. [Source](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases)
7. [Release 1.7.0. 2017](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.7.0)
8. [Release 1.5.6. 2016](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.6)
9. [Release 1.5.5. 2015](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.5)
10. [Release 1.5.4. 2015](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.4)
11. [Release 1.5.2. 2015](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.2)
12. [Release 1.5.1. 2015](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.1)
13. [Release 1.5.0. 2015](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.5.0)
14. [Release 1.7.1. 2019](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.7.1)
15. [Release 1.7.2. 2019](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.7.2)
16. [Release 1.8.0. 2022](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.8.0)
17. [Release 1.9.0. 2024](https://github.com/oetiker/rrdtool-1.x/releases/tag/v1.9.0)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. Quora