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systemd-syslog: Collect systemd messages using a socket

On platforms running systemd, the systemd-syslog() driver reads the log messages of systemd using the /run/systemd/journal/syslog socket. Note the following points about this driver:

  • If possible, use the more reliable systemd-journal() driver instead.

  • The socket activation of systemd is buggy, causing some log messages to get lost during system startup.

  • If AxoSyslog is running in a jail or a Linux Container (LXC), it will not read from the /dev/kmsg or /proc/kmsg files.

Declaration:

   systemd-syslog();

Example: Using the systemd-syslog() driver

   @version: 4.5.0
    
    source s_systemdd {
        systemd-syslog();
    };
    
    destination d_network {
        syslog("server.host");
    };
    
    log {
        source(s_systemdd);
        destination(d_network);
    };

1 - systemd-syslog() source options

The systemd-syslog() driver has the following options:

hook-commands()

Description: This option makes it possible to execute external programs when the relevant driver is initialized or torn down. The hook-commands() can be used with all source and destination drivers with the exception of the usertty() and internal() drivers.

Using hook-commands() when AxoSyslog starts or stops

To execute an external program when AxoSyslog starts or stops, use the following options:

startup()

Type:string
Default:N/A

Description: Defines the external program that is executed as AxoSyslog starts.

shutdown()

Type:string
Default:N/A

Description: Defines the external program that is executed as AxoSyslog stops.

Using the hook-commands() when AxoSyslog reloads

To execute an external program when the AxoSyslog configuration is initiated or torn down, for example, on startup/shutdown or during a AxoSyslog reload, use the following options:

setup()

Type:string
Default:N/A

Description: Defines an external program that is executed when the AxoSyslog configuration is initiated, for example, on startup or during a AxoSyslog reload.

teardown()

Type:string
Default:N/A

Description: Defines an external program that is executed when the AxoSyslog configuration is stopped or torn down, for example, on shutdown or during a AxoSyslog reload.

Example: Using the hook-commands() with a network source

In the following example, the hook-commands() is used with the network() driver and it opens an iptables port automatically as AxoSyslog is started/stopped.

The assumption in this example is that the LOGCHAIN chain is part of a larger ruleset that routes traffic to it. Whenever the AxoSyslog created rule is there, packets can flow, otherwise the port is closed.

   source {
       network(transport(udp)
        hook-commands(
              startup("iptables -I LOGCHAIN 1 -p udp --dport 514 -j ACCEPT")
              shutdown("iptables -D LOGCHAIN 1")
            )
         );
    };