Apache Logstash Configuration

deb (Debian/Ubuntu/Mint)

curl -L -O https://artifacts.elastic.co/downloads/beats//-oss-7.15.1-amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i -oss-7.15.1-amd64.deb

rpm (CentOS/RHEL/Fedora)

curl -L -O https://artifacts.elastic.co/downloads/beats//-oss-7.15.1-x86_64.rpm
sudo rpm -vi -oss-7.15.1-x86_64.rpm

macOS

curl -L -O https://artifacts.elastic.co/downloads/beats//-oss-7.15.1-darwin-x86_64.tar.gz
tar xzvf -oss-7.15.1-darwin-x86_64.tar.gz

Windows

• Download and extract the Windows zip file.
• Rename the -<version>-windows directory to ``.
• Open a PowerShell prompt as an Administrator.
• Run the following to install as a Windows service:

.\install-service-.ps1

There are several built in filebeat modules you can use. You will need to enable the apache module.

deb/rpm

sudo filebeat modules list
sudo filebeat modules enable apache

macOS

cd <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>
./filebeat modules list
./filebeat modules enable apache

Windows

cd <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>
.\filebeat.exe modules list
.\filebeat.exe modules enable apache

The configuration file below is pre-configured to send data to your Logit.io Stack via Logstash.

Copy the configuration file below and overwrite the contents of filebeat.yml.

# ============================== Filebeat modules ==============================

filebeat.config.modules:
  # Glob pattern for configuration loading
  path: ${path.config}/modules.d/*.yml

  # Set to true to enable config reloading
  reload.enabled: false

  # Period on which files under path should be checked for changes
  #reload.period: 10s

# ======================= Elasticsearch template setting =======================

setup.template.settings:
  index.number_of_shards: 1
  #index.codec: best_compression
  #_source.enabled: false

# ================================== Outputs ===================================
# ------------------------------ Logstash Output -------------------------------
<div class="sw-warning">
    <b>No input available! </b> Your stack is missing the required input for this data source <a href="#" onclick="Intercom('showNewMessage')" class="btn btn-info btn-sm">Talk to support to add the input</a>
</div> 

Ok, time to start ingesting data!

deb/rpm

sudo systemctl enable filebeat
sudo systemctl start filebeat

mac

./filebeat

Windows

Start-Service filebeat

Additional module configuration can be done using the per module config files located in the modules.d folder, most commonly this would be to read logs from a non-default location

deb/rpm /etc/filebeat/modules.d/apache.yml
mac/win <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>/modules.d/apache.yml

- module: apache
# Access logs
access:
  enabled: true

  # Set custom paths for the log files. If left empty,
  # Filebeat will choose the paths depending on your OS.
  var.paths: ["/custom/path/to/logs"]

# Error logs
error:
  enabled: true

  # Set custom paths for the log files. If left empty,
  # Filebeat will choose the paths depending on your OS.
  var.paths: ["/custom/path/to/logs"]

If you don't see data appearing in your Stack after following the steps, visit the Help Centre guide for steps to diagnose no data appearing in your Stack or Chat to support now.

The Apache module comes with predefined Kibana dashboards. To view your dashboards for any of your Logit.io stacks, launch Kibana and choose Dashboards.

Apache (also known as Apache HTTP Server) is a popular open-source web server that manages incoming HTTP requests. The first edition of Apache was launched over twenty years ago in 1995 & has grown to power over 40% of websites globally. Just one of the reasons for its widespread adoption is due to its highly flexible and powerful features.

Apache produces access & error logs and as a server that manages HTTP requests, the tool generates a high amount of log data when used to monitor high traffic websites. This can be difficult to efficiently analyse without an Apache log viewer.

The error log is characterised as the most important log data you’ll want to analyse as part of your audits. It contains a wealth of information beyond just errors & can be used for comprehensive diagnostic reporting. Access logs keep track of all access requests that have been sent to your web server and include data such as IP addresses, URLs & response times.

Logit.io provides a complete solution for fast Apache log viewing & analysis. Our platform’s built-in Apache log analyser saves on the need to configure numerous tools for the ingestion of Apache server logs as our hosted ELK Stack takes care of transforming, parsing, alerting, visualising & reporting in one centralised platform.

Followed our configuration file example for Apache and are still encountering issues? We're here to help. Reach out by contacting our team by visiting our dedicated Help Centre or via live chat & we'll be able to get back to you.