How to create a custom data source

Reviewed on April 04, 2025

This page shows you how to create a custom data source and its data type, from the Scaleway console.

Before you start

To complete the actions presented below, you must have:

• A Scaleway account logged into the console
• Owner status or IAM permissions allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization

1. Click Cockpit in the Monitoring section of the console side menu. The Cockpit overview page displays.
2. Click the Data sources tab.
3. Click + Create custom data source.
4. Enter a name for the data source.
5. Choose the data type you want to create in the data source.
6. Select the region for your data source.
   Tip

   We recommend that you create your data sources in the same regions as the alert manager if you want to receive alerts for them.

7. Drag the slider to adjust the retention period for your data source:
   • Drag the slider to the right to increase your retention period, or
   • Drag the slider to the left to decrease the retention period.
     Important

     • Reducing the retention period of a data source will permanently delete all observability data in that data source beyond the selected timeframe. This deletion is irreversible and takes effect a few minutes after the retention period is reduced, even if the retention period is later increased.
     • Find out about the retention periods available for each data source type.
8. Click Create custom data source.