Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana – The ELK stack
Conclusion
The ELK stack is not just useful for web or mail servers, where you can expect high hit counts, but also for large server clusters with distributed logs. Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana are team players that collaborate excellently, and they are capable of integrating more components (e.g., services like Filebeat) into the team. The current program versions impress across the board and certainly give administrators a powerful toolbox.
Although the installation was a painless affair, the ELK stack does lack state-of-the-art systemd units in part, and even an init script in the case of Kibana. We also missed meaningful Logstash default configurations for the services on a typical Linux server. Although the documentation is very exhaustive, with many examples by other users on the web, it is a pity that system administrators first need to compile the information they need painstakingly. The commented examples on the FTP site [6] should be of help here.
The ELK stack is unbelievably flexible, but you can expect a lengthy learning curve. Many paths lead to a process chain. If the developers were to provide a basic set of configuration examples, they would help many admins and could help achieve initial results quickly, provide better orientation, and even allow admins to develop their own style.
Infos
- Elasticsearch: https://www.elastic.co/products/elasticsearch
- Logstash: https://www.elastic.co/products/logstash
- Kibana: https://www.elastic.co/products/kibana
- Filebeat: https://www.elastic.co/products/beats/filebeat
- Elastic subscriptions: https://www.elastic.co/subscriptions
- Listings in this article: ftp://ftp.linux-magazine.com/pub/listings/magazine/185
- Shield: https://www.elastic.co/products/shield
- Logstash reference: https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/index.html
- Logstash forwarder and Lumberjack protocol: https://github.com/elastic/logstash-forwarder
- Beats: https://www.elastic.co/products/beats
- Working with Logstash plugins: https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/working-with-plugins.html
- Postfix patterns: https://github.com/whyscream/postfix-grok-patterns
- Dovecot patterns: https://github.com/augieschwer/grok-patterns
- Nginx patterns: https://www.ulyaoth.net/threads/logstash-forwarder-and-grok-examples.32413
- GitHub repository with Logstash patterns: https://github.com/logstash-plugins/logstash-patterns-core/tree/master/patterns
- Grok debugger: http://grokdebug.herokuapp.com
- GrokConstructor: http://grokconstructor.appspot.com
- Curator: https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/curator
« Previous 1 2 3 4
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.