Using Grafana with onPrem MS SQL and "hosted by 3cx" PBX

[oschobert]

Hi,
what would i do if like to use the new grafana dashboards using a local onprem MS SQL-Server and a PBX "hosted by 3CX"?
What is the best practice approach so they can talk to each other? I would like to avoid a direct connection for security reasons.

 

[KyriacosS_3CX]

Hello,

Grafana never talks directly to the PBX and its database -

You set up the relevant Data Connector/Exporter on the PBX to send data to your database. This requires that the PBX can establish a connection with the desired DB server, with the correct permissions as set out in our documentation - allowing the relevant inbound ports to your on prem DB is down to you.

Then the Grafana instance, be it on prem or on the Grafana/other cloud also needs to be able to talk to your DB server - Grafana Data Connectors should be set with different user credentials as only read access is needed here.

 

[Alphabetic]

All pages on 3CX have the help icon in the top right, and sometimes even links to KBs.

If you go to the Integration > Data Connectors page and select MSSQL you'll get a link to help you with the set up.



you dump your 3CX data there and then have Grafana read this.

 

[oschobert]

Thanks, i already understood this, but i was looking for an alternative solution other than allowing direct access to our local onprem SQL-Server.

 

[VoIPTools]

The fact that your 3CX server is hosted on 3CX servers limits your options because 3CX does not support any 3rd-party tools in their hosted platform. If you move your 3CX to another hosting company (AWS, Google, Azure, etc.) then there are more options. We have a tool that can help 3CX Exporter.

 

[oschobert]

The fact that your 3CX server is hosted on 3CX servers limits your options because 3CX does not support any 3rd-party tools in their hosted platform. If you move your 3CX to another hosting company (AWS, Google, Azure, etc.) then there are more options. We have a tool that can help 3CX Exporter.

I already found this tool but it seems quite old. Does it still work with current versions und how much would it be?

 

[KyriacosS_3CX]

You could have your SQL server replicate data somewhere else for grafana to access - pushing data out instead of having something pull from it.

 

[oschobert]

You could have your SQL server replicate data somewhere else for grafana to access - pushing data out instead of having something pull from it.

Good idea!!

 

[VoIPTools]

Perhaps the 3CX policy has changed quite dramatically with the inclusion of the Grafana integration, but I have asked Nick and others in support multiple times over the years whether I could make 1 tiny adjustment to the PostgreSQL configuration and received very clear, and stern warnings that making any changes to the PostgreSQL configuration is completely unacceptable and not to do it... period.

Our Exporter tool has been available for about 10 years, and receives regular updates (4 releases in 2025). A new version is being prepared for next week and includes new tables and enhancements. It is built on Blazor, and .Net 10, which was released by Microsoft in November, so it is not old, it is very new, and is constantly being enhanced.


The important points I should highlight are:

• No PostgreSQL configuration changes are necessary
• Access to the data is performed via API (no need to expose PostgreSQL)
• Data is replicated over an encrypted connection
• Authorization requires an expiring JWT token
• More than a decade of use around the world
• 24/7/365 Support

You can do your own thing and risk getting in trouble with 3CX, or you can use our tool and know your data and 3CX are safe.

 

[N_G]

Good idea!!

I don't understand this request, with this tool you can export the reporting data anywhere you like and retain full control....... As long as Grafana can access it of course, but its possible to install Grafana locally too but its more work