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nxlog (10) Versions 0.8.3

Installs and configures NXLog_ce on Linux or Windows

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cookbook 'nxlog', '= 0.8.3', :supermarket
cookbook 'nxlog', '= 0.8.3'
knife supermarket install nxlog
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NXLog Chef Cookbook

Build Status
Dependency Status

This documentation uses Github markdown and looks best on the Github project page

About this cookbook

This cookbook sets up NXLog on a Windows or Linux host.

NXLog is a flexible log-management service that is able to read and write
logs in a variety of formats, and to numerous places.

This is a good solution if you want to gather the logs from various systems
or processes into a central location such as a syslog daemon or papertrail.
It can be used to merge log files, the kernel, syslog or the Windows event log
all into one place. It has powerful routing and conversion capabilities so that
logs can be written into different formats and sent to multiple places.

The cookbook provides LWRPs for log sources and destinations, and makes it easy
to set up routes between them.

The nxlog::syslog recipe sets up nxlog as the default system logger on Linux.

Additionally, this cookbook includes a Papertrail LWRP to simplify the
publishing of logs to that service. Papertrail is a web-based log aggregation
service that can receive logs from multiple servers and display them all in once place.

You may also create nxlog resources via node attributes, which saves you from
having to write a recipe for each one. This cookbook uses the zap cookbook
to ensure that resources configs are automatically removed from nodes when they
are removed from node attributes.

It is worth reading the nxlog documentation
to get a better idea of how this stuff works.

Supported Platforms

  • Windows Server 2008r2-2012r2
  • Ubuntu/Debian Linux
  • RHEL/Centos Linux

This cookbook requires Chef 12

Usage

Include nxlog in your node's run_list:

{
    "run_list": [
        "recipe[nxlog::default]"
    ]
}

If you wish to enable Papertrail support, also include the papertrail recipe:

{
    "run_list": [
         "recipe[nxlog::default]"
         "recipe[nxlog::papertrail]"
    ]
}

To set up nxlog as the sytem logger you should include the syslog recipe:

{
    "run_list": [
         "recipe[nxlog::default]"
         "recipe[nxlog::syslog]"
    ]
}

The syslog recipe will disable rsyslog. If you are expecting another logging
daemon you should specify this in node attributes. The default behaviour is
to send its log output to the default destinations, but this can be reconfigured
in node attributes.

This should be enough to get nxlog installed and running. However, it won't do
much on its own. In order for it to do something useful you need to configure
log sources and destinations.

A simple example recipe to log Windows events to a file:

include_recipe 'nxlog::default'

nxlog_destination 'windows_events_file' do
  file 'c:/windows/temp/events.log'
end

nxlog_source 'event_log' do
  input_module 'im_msvistalog'
  destination 'windows_events_file'
end

This can also be accomplished using node attributes as follows:

{
"nxlog": {
"destinations": {
"windows_events_file": {
"file": "c:/windows/temp/events.log"
}
},
"sources": {
"event_log": {
"input_module": "im_msvistalog",
"destination": "windows_events_file"
}
}
}
}

A more advanced recipe to log multiple sources to papertrail might look like:

include_recipe 'nxlog::default'
include_recipe 'nxlog::papertrail'

nxlog_papertrail 'papertrail' do
  default true   # use this as the default destination for all inputs
  host 'logs2'
  port 11111
end

nxlog_source 'apache_errors' do
  file '/var/log/apache2/errors.log'
end

nxlog_source 'apache_access' do
  file '/var/log/apache2/access.log'
end

Again, this can be accomplished using node attributes:

{
  "nxlog": {
    "papertrails": {
      "papertrail": {
        "default": true,
        "host": "logs2",
        "port": 11111
      }
    },
    "sources": {
      "apache_errors": {
        "file": "/var/log/apache2/errors.log"
      },
      "apache_access": {
        "file": "/var/log/apache2/access.log"
      }
    }
  }
}

Resources

The following describes each LWRP provided by this cookbook.

It is also possible to create the resources using node attributes as described
above. To do so, create them as hashes within:
node['nxlog']['sources']
node['nxlog']['destinations']
or
node['nxlog']['papertrails']

The name attribute should be the hash key for the object, and all attributes
supported by the relevant LWRP are supported as name/value pairs inside the
object. See above for examples.

nxlog_source

nxlog_source defines a source of log data which will be sent to one or more
the defined log destinations.

NXLog has many different input modules that enable log data to be read from
a variety of log sources. The default is to read from a file, but any supported
module can be selected using the input_module attribute.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#modules_input

Syntax

ruby:

nxlog_source "name" do
  attribute "value" # see attributes section below
  ...
  action :action
end
  • name is a unique name for the log resource
  • attributes define how the log source should be configured
  • action should be either :create, or :delete [default: :create]

json:

{
  "nxlog": {
    "sources": {
      "": {
        "": ""
      }
    }
  }
}
  • name is a unique name for the log resource
  • attributes define how the log source should be configured
  • action is always :create and should not be specified

nxlog_source attributes

Attributes common to all modules
Attribute name Description Type Default
input_module input module to use for the log data String 'im_file'
destination destination(s) to send the data to String or Array :defaults
input_type nxlog InputType (see nxlog docs) String none
exec commands to execute on the log data String none
flow_control enables or disables flow control Boolean false

Notes:

  • input_module must be one of the modules defined below
  • to send log data to specific log destinations in addition to the defaults, include :defaults in the destination array. For example: ruby destination ['my_special_destination', :defaults]
  • it is worth reading the documentation on Exec in the nxlog docs. Quite often log data needs to be transformed by a method such as to_syslog_ietf()
'im_file' module

'im_file' defines a file-based log source

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_file

Attribute name Description Type Default
file The file to read log data from String none - Required
recursive Whether to recurse into subdirectories boolean false
rename_check Check whether files are renamed (e.g. logrotate) boolean false
close_when_idle Whether to close the file when not being read boolean false
poll_interval How often to check for new data float 1.0
dir_check_interval How often to check for new files when file contains a wildcard float 2 * poll_interval
active_files Maximum number of files to monitor simultaneously integer 10
save_pos Whether to save the file position when nxlog exits boolean true

Notes:

  • recursive works in a way that you might not expect. Read the nxlog docs if you plan to use it.
'im_exec' module

'im_exec' executes a command and reads log data from stdout

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_exec

Attribute name Description Type Default
command The command to execute String none - Required
args An array of arguments to pass to the command Array none
restart Whether to restart the command on exit boolean false
'im_internal' module

'im_internal' specifies nxlog's internal logs

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_internal

There are no module-specific attributes for this module.

'im_kernel' module

'im_kernel' defines the kernel logs on Linux systems (e.g. dmesg)

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_kernel

There are no module-specific attributes for this module.

'im_mark' module

'im_mark' periodically writes a specific string to the destination(s)

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_mark

Attribute name Description Type Default
mark The string to write to the logs String '-- MARK --'
mark_interval How frequently to write the mark string, in minutes integer 30
'im_mseventlog' module

'im_mseventlog' reads from the Windows XP (Server 2003) event log.

NOTE: For modern Windows (Vista and above) use 'im_msvistalog'

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_mseventlog

Attribute name Description Type Default
sources Which event log sources to use Array none (all sources)
utf8 Whether to convert all strings to utf8 boolean true
'im_msvistalog' module

'im_msvistalog' reads from the Windows (post-XP / Server 2003) event log.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_msvistalog

You may also want to read:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722404.aspx

Attribute name Description Type Default
channel Which event log channel(s) to read from String none (all sources)
query Specifies the query to filter the results String none
poll_interval How frequently the logs will be checked for changes Float 1.0
'im_null' module

'im_null' never generates any messages. However, commands
can be executed with the exec common attribute.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_null

There are no module-specific attributes for this module.

'im_ssl' module

'im_ssl' messages are received from an SSL/TLS encrypted TCP connection.

Default behaviour is to listen on 'localhost', but you can use '0.0.0.0' to bind
to all addresses.

This module works identically to the im_tcp module, except that the connection
is encrypted.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_ssl

Attribute name Description Type Default
host The ip or hostname to listen on String 'localhost'
port The tcp port to listen on Integer none - Required
cert_file Path to the https certificate file String none
cert_key_file Path to the https certificate key file String none
key_pass Password for the certificate key file String none
ca_file Path to the certificate CA file String none
ca_dir Path to a directory containing CA files String none
crl_file Path to a CRL file String none
crl_dir Path to a directory containing CRL files String none
allow_untrusted Whether https should be allowed without certificate verification boolean false
'im_tcp' module

'im_tcp' messages are received from a TCP connection.

Default behaviour is to listen on 'localhost', but you can use '0.0.0.0' to bind
to all addresses.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_tcp

Attribute name Description Type Default
host The ip or hostname to listen on String 'localhost'
port The tcp port to listen on Integer none - Required
'im_udp' module

'im_udp' messages are received from a UDP connection.

Default behaviour is to listen on 'localhost', but you can use '0.0.0.0' to bind
to all addresses.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_udp

Attribute name Description Type Default
host The host to listen on String 'localhost'
port The udp port to connect to Integer none - Required
sock_buf_size Sets the socket buffer size Integer OS defaults
'im_uds' module

'im_uds' messages are read from a unix domain socket, such as /dev/log. This module
will read from /dev/log if the uds attribute is not specified.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#im_uds

Attribute name Description Type Default
uds The path of the unix domain socket. String '/dev/log'

Notes:

  • Only SOCK_DGRAM type sockets are currently supported by nxlog

nxlog_destination

nxlog_destination defines a destination where log data from one or more
sources will be sent.

NXLog has many different output modules that enable log data to be sent to
a variety of log sources. The default is to read from a file, but any supported
module can be selected using the output_module attribute.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#modules_output

Syntax

ruby:

nxlog_destination "name" do
  attribute "value" # see attributes section below
  ...
  action :action
end
  • name is a unique name for the destination resource
  • attributes define how the log destination should be configured
  • action should be either :create, or :delete [default: :create]

json:

{
  "nxlog": {
    "destinations": {
      "": {
        "": ""
      }
    }
  }
}
  • name is a unique name for the destination resource
  • attributes define how the log destination should be configured
  • action is always :create and should not be specified

nxlog_destination attributes

Attributes common to all modules
Attribute name Description Type Default
output_module input module to use for receiving the log data String 'om_file'
output_type nxlog OutputType (see nxlog docs) String none
exec commands to execute on the log data String none
default whether the destination is a default destination boolean false

Notes:

  • output_module must be one of the modules defined below
  • it is worth reading the documentation on Exec in the nxlog docs. Quite often log data needs to be transformed by a method such as to_syslog_ietf()
  • destinations marked as default will receive log data from all input sources, unless they specifically specify otherwise
'om_file' module

'om_file' defines a file-based log destination

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_file

Attribute name Description Type Default
file The file to write log data to String none - Required
create_dir Whether to create a directory for the log file if it does not exist boolean false
truncate Whether to truncate the log file before writing boolean false
sync Whether to sync the log file after each message, flushing buffers boolean false
'om_blocker' module

'om_blocker' is a testing output module which simply blocks, simulation an blocked route.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_blocker

There are no module-specific attributes for this module.

'om_dbi' module

'om_dbi' writes log data to a database

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_dbi

Attribute name Description Type Default
driver The dbi driver to use String none - Required
sql The SQL to execute to insert the log data String none - Required
options Engine-specific options such as host, username and password Array none - Required

Notes:

  • Requires libdbi the relevant libdbi driver to be installed
  • See the nxlog docs for details on how to format SQL and options
'om_exec' module

'om_exec' executes a command and pipes log data into it

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_exec

Attribute name Description Type Default
command The command to execute String none - Required
args An array of arguments to pass to the command Array none

Notes:

  • The command is executed when nxlog starts, and must not terminate until it shuts down
'om_http' module

'om_http' posts log data to a specific url over http or https

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_http

Attribute name Description Type Default
url The url to post the data to String none - Required
content-type The content-type header of the http request String 'text/plain'
https_cert_file Path to the https certificate file String none
https_cert_key_file Path to the https certificate key file String none
https_key_pass Password for the certificate key file String none
https_ca_file Path to the certificate CA file String none
https_ca_dir Path to a directory containing CA files String none
https_crl_file Path to a CRL file String none
https_crl_dir Path to a directory containing CRL files String none
https_allow_untrusted Whether https should be allowed without certificate verification boolean false
'om_null' module

'om_null' messages are discarded and never written anywhere. However, commands
can be executed on the log data with the exec common attribute.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_null

There are no module-specific attributes for this module.

'om_ssl' module

'om_ssl' messages are sent over an SSL/TLS encrypted TCP connection.

This module works identically to the om_tcp module, except that the connection
is encrypted.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_ssl

Attribute name Description Type Default
host The host to connect to String none - Required
port The tcp port to connect to Integer none - Required
cert_file Path to the https certificate file String none
cert_key_file Path to the https certificate key file String none
key_pass Password for the certificate key file String none
ca_file Path to the certificate CA file String none
ca_dir Path to a directory containing CA files String none
crl_file Path to a CRL file String none
crl_dir Path to a directory containing CRL files String none
allow_untrusted Whether https should be allowed without certificate verification boolean false
'om_tcp' module

'om_tcp' messages are sent over a TCP connection.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_tcp

Attribute name Description Type Default
host The host to connect to String none - Required
port The tcp port to connect to Integer none - Required
'om_udp' module

'om_udp' messages are sent over a UDP connection.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_udp

Attribute name Description Type Default
host The host to connect to String none - Required
port The udp port to connect to Integer none - Required
sock_buf_size Sets the socket buffer size Integer OS defaults
'om_uds' module

'om_uds' messages are written to a unix domain socket, such as /dev/log. This module
will write to /dev/log if the uds attribute is not specified.

http://nxlog.org/documentation/nxlog-community-edition-reference-manual-v20928#om_uds

Attribute name Description Type Default
uds The path of the unix domain socket. String '/dev/log'

nxlog_papertrail

nxlog_papertrail defines a special kind of om_ssl destination that is pre-configured
to log to papertrail (https://papertrailapp.com/) and thus requiring only a few options
to set up.

Syntax

ruby:

nxlog_papertrail "name" do
  attribute "value" # see attributes section below
  ...
  action :action
end
  • name is a unique name for the papertrail resource
  • attributes define how the papertrail log destination should be configured
  • action should be either :create, or :delete [default: :create]

json:

{
  "nxlog": {
    "sources": {
      "": {
        "": ""
      }
    }
  }
}
  • name is a unique name for the papertrail resource
  • attributes define how the papertrail log destination should be configured
  • action is always :create and should not be specified

nxlog_papertrail attributes

Attribute name Description Type Default
port The port for your papertrail log destination String none - Required
host The *.papertrailapp.com host to log to (e.g. 'logs', 'logs2') String 'logs'
default Whether this is a default log destination (see nxlog_destination) boolean false

Cookbook Attributes

The attributes mostly concern default config locations and will most likely work
for your platform without modification.

Key Description Default
version The version of nxlog_ce to download and install '2.9.1347'
log_level nxlog's log level 'INFO'
user The unix user to run nxlog as (no effect on Windows) 'nxlog'
group The unix group to run nxlog as (no effect on Windows) 'nxlog'
conf_dir The directory for the nxlog configuration files platform-specific
log_file The location of the nxlog log file platform-specific
checksums::<package_filename> The sha256sum of the specified package nxlog version-specific
papertrail::bundle_url The URL to the papertrail CA bundle papertrail-bundle.pem
syslog::logger_disable The logger service to disable in favour of nxlog 'rsyslog'
syslog::destinations The destinations to log syslog data to :defaults
sources An array of log source objects nil
destinations An array of log destination objects nil
papertrails An array of papertrail log destination objects nil

Contributing

You know the drill:

  1. Fork
  2. Branch
  3. Change
  4. Test
  5. Pull request

License and Authors

Author:: Simon Detheridge, Widgit Software (simon@widgit.com)

License:: Apache Version 2.0

Dependent cookbooks

zap >= 0.0.0

Contingent cookbooks

There are no cookbooks that are contingent upon this one.

0.8.3

  • Added json extension module

0.8.2

  • Added checksum validation to nxlog remote_file packages

0.8.1

  • Remove input_type equal_to validation

0.8.0

  • Add syslog recipe

0.7.2

  • Add support for the FlowControl directive in input modules

0.7.1

  • Update documentation to link to github page, as it looks better than on the supermarket

0.7.0

  • Add support for creating log resources from node attributes

0.6.0

  • Fix issue with LWRPs not working in other recipes

0.5.0

  • Initial release of nxlog cookbook

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0.8.3 passed this metric