# VictoriaMetrics

[VictoriaMetrics](https://victoriametrics.github.io/) is a third-party monitoring solution and time-series database that replaced Prometheus in [PMM 2.12.0](../release-notes/2.12.0.md).

## Push/Pull modes

VictoriaMetrics metrics data can be both 'pushed' to the server and 'pulled' by the server. When setting up services, you can decide which mode to use.

!!! note alert alert-primary ""
    The 'push' mode is now default for newly-added services.
    (In PMM 2.12.0 the default mode was 'pull'.)

The mode (push/pull) is controlled by the `--metrics-mode` flag for the `pmm-admin config` and `pmm-admin add` commands.

If you need to change the metrics mode for an existing Service, you must remove it and re-add it with the same name and the required flags. (You cannot update a service.)

## Remapped targets for direct Prometheus paths

Direct Prometheus paths return structured information directly from Prometheus, bypassing the PMM application.

They are accessed by requesting a URL of the form `<PMM SERVER URL>/prometheus/<PATH>`.

As a result of the move to VictoriaMetrics some direct Prometheus paths are no longer available.

| Prometheus path                 | VictoriaMetrics equivalent
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| `/prometheus/alerts`            | No change.
| `/prometheus/config`            | No equivalent, but there is some information at `/prometheus/targets`.
| `/prometheus/flags`             | The `flag` metrics at `/prometheus/metrics`.
| `/prometheus/graph`             | `/graph/explore` (Grafana) or `graph/d/prometheus-advanced/advanced-data-exploration` (PMM dashboard).
| `/prometheus/rules`             | No change.
| `/prometheus/service-discovery` | No equivalent.
| `/prometheus/status`            | Some information at `/prometheus/metrics`. High cardinality metrics information at `/prometheus/api/v1/status/tsdb`.
| `/prometheus/targets`           | `/victoriametrics/targets`



## Environment variables


PMM predefines certain flags that allow users to set all other [VictoriaMetrics parameters](https://docs.victoriametrics.com/#list-of-command-line-flags) as environment variables:

The environment variable must be prepended with `VM_`.

**Example**

To set downsampling, use the `downsampling.period` parameter as follows:

```
-e VM_downsampling_period=20d:10m,120d:2h
```

This instructs VictoriaMetrics to [deduplicate](https://docs.victoriametrics.com/#deduplication) samples older than 20 days with 10 minute intervals and samples older than 120 days with two hour intervals.



## Troubleshooting

To troubleshoot issues, see the VictoriaMetrics [troubleshooting documentation](https://victoriametrics.github.io/#troubleshooting).

You can also contact the VictoriaMetrics team via:

- [Google Groups](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/victorametrics-users)
- [Slack](http://slack.victoriametrics.com/)
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/VictoriaMetrics/)
- [Telegram](https://t.me/VictoriaMetrics_en)