OpenTelemetry¶
Stable
OpenTelemetry is an open-source observability framework for collecting traces, metrics, and logs.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Observability Framework |
| Forge Compatibility | Forge 2.1+, Forge 3.0 |
| Status | Stable |
Description¶
OpenTelemetry is an open-source observability framework that provides a set of APIs, libraries, agents, and instrumentation tools for collecting, processing, and exporting telemetry data, such as traces, metrics, and logs, from software applications.
It is a unified standard that allows developers to gain deep insights into the performance, behavior, and health of their applications and services.
Why we use it¶
OpenTelemetry allows us to standardize the way we do logs, tracing, and metrics across our apps no matter the language or type of app. It also allows us to send that data to any OpenTelemetry endpoint:
- Local development - Data is sent to the Aspire dashboard
- Deployed applications - Data is sent to Dynatrace
When to use it¶
- ✅ All Forge applications (automatically configured via Aspire)
- ✅ Distributed tracing across microservices
- ✅ Performance monitoring and diagnostics
- ✅ Structured logging
When NOT to use it:
- ❌ Not applicable - OpenTelemetry is the standard for all Forge applications
Prerequisites¶
- Aspire-based application (OpenTelemetry is configured automatically)
- For production: Dynatrace endpoint configured
Related Documentation¶
| Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Aspire | Local development with OpenTelemetry dashboard |
| Dynatrace | Production telemetry destination |