How can I display more items on the "Google Maps" based GEO map in PRTG, and are there any tricks to create a web page with more mapped icons? Also, why isn't the map interactive, and will that feature be available?


Note: The information in this article is partly outdated. We recommend that you do not use Google Static Maps! If you use this option. Geo Maps will be shown with limited functionality. You need a Google Maps API v3 key to use Google Static Maps. Please check with Google's license terms first.

The Google Maps integration is currently based on the Static Maps API which is based on an image (served by Google's servers and configured by a URL).

We chose this implementation because:

  • it was easier to implement
  • it creates the smallest CPU load on the client browser

But this API has two limitations:

  • A maximum of 50 markers can be shown
  • The URL length must be below 2000 bytes, including any encoding

How to maximize the number of markers on Geo Maps

To work around these two limitations please

  • keep "location" strings as short as possible (for example, Paessler's former business address "Burgschmietstrasse" is unique for Google Maps and displays the same location as the complete address "Burgschmietstrasse, Nürnberg, Germany")
  • use as few unique "location" strings as possible

How to create a web page with more items shown on Geo Maps

Arrange your devices in groups based on geographical proximity (e.g. all devices in the west into one group, all devices in the east into another group). Then create a PRTG "Map" and place two Geo maps onto it, one for each group.


Notes

This is our first implementation of Google Maps in PRTG. We simply liked the idea ourselves and we are now eager to hear what our users think about it. If PRTG users like this feature and request more functionality, including interactive maps, we will of course consider upgrading the implementation to the Javascript based API which will give us interactive maps and the possibility to show more markers. So have your voice heard!

More

Which limitations apply when using the Google Maps API in PRTG?


Disclaimer:
The information in the Paessler Knowledge Base comes without warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk. Before applying any instructions please exercise proper system administrator housekeeping. You must make sure that a proper backup of all your data is available.