[syslog-ng] Insider 2017-09: 3.12; survey; geoip2; docker; AWS;

[Czanik, Péter]

Dear syslog-ng users,

This is the 61th issue of syslog-ng Insider, a monthly newsletter that
brings you syslog-ng-related news.



NEWS



syslog-ng 3.12 is coming

------------------------

The latest version of syslog-ng, 3.12 is expected to arrive soon. The
most important new feature is the XML parser, which creates name-value
pairs from XML-based log messages. You will also be able to configure
JVM options for Java destinations, use PKCS-12, and utilize macros in
HDFS file names. There are many more smaller features and bug fixes.
For a complete list, check the git commits:

https://github.com/balabit/syslog-ng/commits/master

Test RPM packages from git head:
https://www.balabit.com/blog/rpm-packages-from-syslog-ng-git-head/



New syslog-ng website

---------------------

We will introduce a brand new website for all that is syslog-ng, and
with that will come an official syslog-ng OSE repository with binaries
for some of the most popular Linux distributions. We expect to launch
syslog-ng.com in November, moving content for both OSE and its
commercial versions to this new site so that it can serve as a single
hub for all syslog-ng users.

Learn more about it and help our work by answering a brief survey:
https://www.balabit.com/blog/new-website-and-official-repo-coming-up-tell-us-what-you-think/



Collecting logs from containers

-------------------------------

There are many software products that log to files or pipes instead of
their stdout, the place where Docker expects them. Fortunately by
using Docker volumes, you can share data among containers, and
syslog-ng can collect these logs as well.

Learn how: https://www.balabit.com/blog/collecting-logs-containers-using-docker-volumes/



Heat maps using the new geoip2 parser

-------------------------------------

The new geoip2 parser of syslog-ng 3.11 is not only faster than its
predecessor, but can also provide a lot more detailed geographical
information about IP addresses. Next to the usual country name and
longitude/latitude information, it also provides the continent, time
zone, postal code and even county name. Some of these are available in
multiple languages. Learn how you can utilize all this information by
parsing logs from iptables using syslog-ng, storing them to
Elasticsearch, and displaying the results in Kibana!

https://www.balabit.com/blog/creating-heat-maps-using-new-syslog-ng-geoip2-parser/

Learn how you can impress your C-level leader(s) even more by
animating these heat maps:

https://www.balabit.com/blog/creating-time-lapse-videos-log-messages-using-openshot/



Installing syslog-ng on AWS Linux AMI

-------------------------------------

You do not have to live without your favorite syslog implementation
even in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Linux AMI. This Linux distribution
is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 6 and it takes minimal
extra work to install syslog-ng on it.

https://www.balabit.com/blog/installing-syslog-ng-aws-linux-ami/



EVENTS



Virtualization day in Budapest, November 7th: https://vday.hu/2017/





Your feedback and news, or tips about the next issue are welcome at
documentation at balabit.com. To read this newsletter online, visit:
https://syslog-ng.org/

Peter Czanik (CzP) <peter.czanik at balabit.com>
Balabit / syslog-ng upstream
https://www.balabit.com/blog/author/peterczanik/
https://twitter.com/PCzanik