Postgresql Logs
Collect and ship PostgreSQL logs to Logstash and Elasticsearch.
Filebeat is a lightweight shipper that enables you to send your PostgreSQL application logs to Logstash and Elasticsearch. Configure Filebeat using the pre-defined examples below to start sending and analysing your PostgreSQL application logs.
Follow this step by step guide to get 'logs' from your system to Logit.io:
Step 2 - Enable the PostgreSQL Module
There are several built in filebeat modules you can use. To enable the PostgreSQL module run.
deb/rpm
sudo filebeat modules list
sudo filebeat modules enable postgresql
macOS
cd <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>
./filebeat modules list
./filebeat modules enable postgresql
Windows
cd <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>
.\filebeat.exe modules list
.\filebeat.exe modules enable postgresql
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/
mac/win <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>/modules.d/
- module: postgresql
# All logs
log:
enabled: true
# Set custom paths for the log files. If left empty,
# Filebeat will choose the paths depending on your OS.
#var.paths:
Step 3 - Update your configuration file
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:
path: ${path.config}/modules.d/*.yml
reload.enabled: false
#reload.period: 10s
# ================================== Outputs ===================================
# ------------------------------ Logstash Output -------------------------------
output.logstash:
hosts: ["your-logstash-host:your-ssl-port"]
loadbalance: true
ssl.enabled: true
# ================================= Processors =================================
processors:
- add_host_metadata:
when.not.contains.tags: forwarded
- add_cloud_metadata: ~
- add_docker_metadata: ~
- add_kubernetes_metadata: ~
If you’re running Filebeat 7
add this code block to the end. Otherwise, you can leave it out.
# ... For Filebeat 7 only ...
filebeat.registry.path: /var/lib/filebeat
If you’re running Filebeat 6
add this code block to the end. Otherwise, you can leave it out.
# ... For Filebeat 6 only ...
registry_file: /var/lib/filebeat/registry
Validate your YAML
It’s a good idea to run the configuration file through a YAML validator to rule out indentation errors, clean up extra characters, and check if your YAML file is valid. Yamllint.com is a great choice.
Step 4 - Validate configuration
If you have issues starting in the next step, you can use these commands below to troubleshoot.
Let's check the configuration file is syntactically correct by running directly inside the terminal.
If the file is invalid, will print an error loading config file
error message with details on how to correct the problem.
deb/rpm
sudo -e -c /etc//.yml
macOS
cd <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>
sudo ./ -e -c .yml
Windows
cd <EXTRACTED_ARCHIVE>
.\.exe -e -c .yml
Step 5 - Start filebeat
Start or restart to apply the configuration changes.
Step 6 - Check Logit.io for your logs
Now you should view your data:
If you don't see logs take a look at How to diagnose no data in Stack below for how to diagnose common issues.
Step 7 - how to diagnose no data in Stack
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.
Step 8 - PostgreSQL dashboard
The PostgreSQL module comes with predefined Kibana dashboards. To view your dashboards for any of your Logit.io stacks, launch Kibana and choose Dashboards.
Step 9 - PostgreSQL Logging Overview
PostgreSQL (often shortened to Postgres) is a highly stable open-source relational database that supports both relational & non-relational querying. Postgres can run across the majority of operating systems including Linux, Windows & macOS.
PostgreSQL is used by some of the world’s best known brands including Apple, IMDB, Red Hat & Cisco due to its robust feature set, useful addons & scalability.
Some of the benefits of using this database include their support for the majority of programming languages as well as it’s strengths as a reliable transactional database for companies of all sizes.
PostgreSQL users are encouraged to log as much as possible as with insufficient configuration you could easily lose access to key messages for troubleshooting and error resolution. Below are some of the most important logs you’ll likely need to analyse when running Postgres.
PostgreSQL transaction logs help the user to identify what queries a transaction encountered.
Remote Host IP/Name (w/ port) logs can serve to help security technicians identify suspicious activity that has occurred. If you are looking to pinpoint troublesome sessions affecting your infrastructure you might turn to Process ID logs for further insights.
When it comes to logging in Postgres there are twenty three other parameters which can be isolated for troubleshooting using the various keywords; ERROR, FATAL, WARNING, & PANIC.
With all these logs, directories & parameters it is easy to become overwhelmed at the prospect of having to thoroughly analyse your log data & you may wish to use a log management system to streamline your processes.
Our built in PostgreSQL log file analyser helps DBAs, sysadmins, and developers identify issues, create visualisations & set alerts when preconfigured and custom parameters are met.
If you need any assistance with analysing your PostgreSQL logs we're here to help. Feel free to reach out by contacting the Logit.io support team via live chat & we'll be happy to help you start analysing your data.