Handy Tips #7: Learn new tricks for easy template management and import

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Technical Writer at Zabbix

October 14, 2021

The updated template import functionality brings a whole new layer of transparency to the template import process. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of the template import improvements. Before Zabbix 5.4, the template import process was lacking in transparency. Users had to rely on the template documentation to fully grasp the contents of […]

The updated template import functionality brings a whole new layer of transparency to the template import process. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of the template import improvements.

Before Zabbix 5.4, the template import process was lacking in transparency. Users had to rely on the template documentation to fully grasp the contents of the newly imported template.

In Zabbix 5.4, we introduced unique universal IDs for each template element, such as items, triggers, graphs, etc.:

Template element IDs work as the element uniqueness criteria
UUIDs allow to instantly tell which element has been modified

When importing a newer template version, all changes are highlighted
Automate the template import with your CI/CD system and Zabbix API whenever the template has been modified

Check out the video to see the improved template import process

How to import a template:

Go to the Configuration – Templates menu section
Press Import in the upper right corner
Select the template file you wish to import
Mark appropriate checkboxes to select which template elements you would like to update, create new elements, or delete existing elements
Press Import and review the changes
You can use the left column to navigate between updated template elements
Press Import to confirm template import

Tips and best practices:

The latest official templates are available in the Zabbix git repository
Updating Zabbix does not update the existing templates
Templates can be exported to a YAML, XML, or JSON file
Zabbix self-monitoring templates receive regular updates. It is important to use the self-monitoring templates that match the particular Zabbix version