When Trusted Tools Reach Their Limits: The Evolution of Log Pipelines

In 2018, when I first started working closely with syslog-ng™ , it was the trusted tool for log collection and routing. It was reliable, familiar, and widely deployed across security and infrastructure teams. For the challenges of the time, it did exactly what it needed to do.

Fast forward a few years: we even contributed to syslog-ng ourselves, adding features and improvements to keep it relevant. And yet… relying on a community-driven roadmap is a bit like trusting a neighborhood watch to remodel your office building. It works… until it doesn’t. (Now we're maintaining AxoSyslog, our GPLv3 fork of syslog-ng.)

The Quiet Shift in Expectations

Modern log pipelines are now expected to:

• Handle massive increases in data volume
• Support hybrid, multi-cloud, and edge environments
• Serve multiple downstream consumers simultaneously
• Have a GUI, be easy-to-use, and massively rely on automation
• Meet stricter security, compliance, and retention requirements

Many organizations are still using tools designed for a simpler era. This isn’t a failure - it’s evolution catching up.

When Stability Isn’t Enough

Even with contributions from experienced teams like ours, syslog-ng’s development is largely dependent on the community. No guaranteed updates, no fixed roadmap, and no dedicated product team accountable for innovation. That’s fine if you like surprises. But for SOCs, IR teams, and regulated environments, surprises are usually bad news.

The question isn’t whether the tool still works.
It’s whether it can keep working as expectations continue to change.

Evolution Without Chaos

Modernizing your log infrastructure doesn’t have to feel like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The best transitions are:

• Incremental, not abrupt
• Validated in real production environments
• Designed to coexist with existing systems

You shouldn’t have to abandon everything you’ve built to move forward. The goal is to gain agility without losing control.

Trusted Advisors, Not Just Tool Builders

Axoflow was created by the original engineers behind syslog-ng - and yes, we do know what we’re doing. We understand where log pipelines came from, and more importantly, where they need to go. We’re not here to sell a replacement; we’re here to be a trusted advisor, guiding teams through modernization with minimal risk and maximum insight.

Being a trusted advisor means:

• Understanding your existing environment before suggesting change
• Helping you modernize at your own pace
• Reducing operational risk rather than introducing it
• Preserving what works while improving what doesn’t

And for teams running syslog-ng today, that often means starting small: deploying Axoflow alongside existing pipelines, validating performance, and migrating sources gradually. It’s the same pipeline you know - just smarter, faster, and supported.

Continuing the Legacy (Without the Chaos)

Axoflow isn’t a betrayal of syslog-ng. Think of it as the next chapter: same DNA, but actually supported, actively developed, and ready for modern workloads. No more relying on the kindness of the community to patch your mission-critical logs - because in the real world, that’s usually when things go sideways.

Looking Ahead

syslog-ng earned its reputation as a trusted tool, and for many teams, it was the right choice for years. But the demands on log pipelines today require more than stability alone.

Modern log infrastructure needs to evolve - carefully, intentionally, and without unnecessary surprises. The most important factor isn’t picking a new tool. It’s choosing a partner who understands where you are today, has contributed to the evolution of the tools you already trust, and can guide you forward.

That’s what trusted advisors do.

If you’re curious about modernizing your log pipelines without disruption - or without leaving everything to chance - we’d be happy to show you a gradual, risk-free path forward.

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(syslog-ng™ is the trademark of One Identity LLC)