---
title: Cassandra
metaTitle: Cassandra Metrics and Logs Integration Guide
description: "Monitor Apache Cassandra by collecting metrics with the OpenTelemetry JMX receiver and logs from files, then forwarding both to OpenObserve."
---

# Integration with Cassandra Metrics and Logs

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to collect and monitor Apache Cassandra metrics and logs using **OpenTelemetry Collector Contrib** and forward them to OpenObserve.

## Overview

Apache Cassandra is a highly scalable, distributed NoSQL database designed for applications that demand high availability and low-latency read/write operations.  

To effectively monitor Cassandra, we will set up OpenTelemetry (OTel) to collect both metrics and logs. OpenTelemetry’s JMX receiver helps gather JVM and Cassandra-specific metrics, while file-based log collection ensures log visibility. The collected logs and metrics will then be forwarded to Openobserve.


## Steps to Integrate

:::accordion[Prerequisites]
- Running **Apache Cassandra** instance(s)  
- OpenObserve account ([Cloud](https://cloud.openobserve.ai/web/) or [Self-Hosted](../../getting-started.md#self-hosted-installation))  
:::

:::accordion[Step 1: Download OpenTelemetry JMX Metrics JAR]

1. The JMX receiver is used to gather Cassandra and JVM metrics. Install it using the command:

```bash
wget https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-contrib/releases/download/v1.32.0/opentelemetry-jmx-metrics.jar -O /opt/opentelemetry-java-contrib-jmx-metrics.jar
```
:::

:::accordion[Step 2: Configure JMX Remote Access in Cassandra]

1. Edit `/etc/cassandra/cassandra-env.sh` and add:
    ```bash
    JVM_OPTS="$JVM_OPTS -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.port=9000"
    JVM_OPTS="$JVM_OPTS -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.rmi.port=9000"
    JVM_OPTS="$JVM_OPTS -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.authenticate=false"
    JVM_OPTS="$JVM_OPTS -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.ssl=false"
    ```

2. Restart Cassandra:
    ```bash
    systemctl restart cassandra
    ```
> Note: The file location may vary depending on your system.
:::

:::accordion[Step 3: Configure the OpenTelemetry Collector]

1. Create or update `/etc/otel-collector-config.yaml`:

```yaml
receivers:
  jmx:
    jar_path: /opt/opentelemetry-java-contrib-jmx-metrics.jar
    endpoint: localhost:9000
    target_system: cassandra,jvm
    collection_interval: 60s

  filelog/std:
    include:
      - /var/log/cassandra/*.log #File location varies, example for macOS: /opt/homebrew/var/log/cassandra/*.log
    start_at: beginning

  otlp:
    protocols:
      grpc:
      http:

processors:
  resourcedetection:
    detectors: ["system"]
    system:
      hostname_sources: ["os"]
  batch:

exporters:
  otlphttp/openobserve:
    endpoint: https://<your-openobserve-endpoint>/api/default
    headers:
      Authorization: Basic <your_auth_token>
      stream-name: cassandra

service:
  pipelines:
    metrics:
      receivers: [jmx]
      processors: [resourcedetection, batch]
      exporters: [otlphttp/openobserve]

    logs:
      receivers: [filelog/std, otlp]
      processors: [batch]
      exporters: [otlphttp/openobserve]
```

Replace `<your-openobserve-endpoint>` and `<your_auth_token>` with values from OpenObserve’s **Data Sources → Metrics/Logs → Otel Collector**.

![OpenObserve Cassandra Creds](../images/databases/otel-metrics-cred.png)
:::

:::accordion[Step 4: Restart the OpenTelemetry Collector]

1. Restart OpenTelemetry Collector
    ```bash
    systemctl restart otel-collector
    ```

2. Verify the service:
    ```bash
    systemctl status otel-collector
    ```
:::

:::accordion[Step 5: Visualize in OpenObserve]

1. Go to **OpenObserve → Streams**.  
2. Explore metrics such as node health, read/write latency, and JVM performance.  
    ![Visualize Cassandra Metrics](../images/databases/cassandra-metrics.png)
3. Explore logs to debug errors, failed queries, etc. 
    ![Visualize Cassandra Logs](../images/databases/cassandra-logs.png) 
:::


## Troubleshooting

:::accordion[No JMX Metrics Collected]
- Ensure JMX port (9000) is open and Cassandra was restarted after enabling JMX.  
- Verify `jar_path` points to the correct JMX metrics jar.  
:::

:::accordion[Logs Not Appearing]
- Confirm Cassandra logs exist under `/var/log/cassandra/`.  
- Ensure `filelog` receiver has read permissions.  
:::

:::accordion[No Data in OpenObserve]
- Double-check exporter endpoint and token.  
- Ensure Collector can reach OpenObserve.  
- Inspect Collector logs for errors.  
:::