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Use Filters with Fluentd

In this lab, you will be tasked with creating a Fluentd configuration file. This configuration will have settings that will read the `/var/log/messages` file. You will add a filter to the configuration that will use the `grep `directive to search the events from the messages file and echo to the Fluentd log those events that contain the searched-for text. You will be provided a server that has Fluentd already installed and working.

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Lab Info
Level
Intermediate
Last updated
Jul 02, 2025
Duration
30m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Create Configuration File

    Create a file called /etc/td-agent/filter-grep.conf. In this file, you will create a configuration that reads the contents of the /var/log/messages file and outputs to the Fluentd stdout.

  2. Challenge

    Add a Filter

    You will add a filter to the above configuration that uses grep to search using \<regexp> with the key of message for a pattern of test. The output will be directed to the stdout for Fluentd.

  3. Challenge

    Test the Filter Is Working

    Start Fluentd via td-agent and use the -c option to include the configuration file you just made.

    If you test by sending messages to the /var/log/messages log, you should use the word test as part of the testing.

    You should see only output that has test in the string.

    The command logger may be used to test sending your message to the log.

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