Graylog: Configure inputs

How to configure Graylog inputs

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What is a Graylog input

Graylog collects logs from your applications, servers, routers or switches via one or more inputs. These inputs support TCP or UDP protocols and can handle various data formats such as GELF, CEF, Syslog or RAW. TLS encryption (SSL/HTTPS) can be enabled from the Stackhero dashboard for TCP inputs.

Note that you can also connect to a Kafka or RabbitMQ (AMQP) server. In this case, Graylog will connect directly to your Kafka or RabbitMQ server and you will not need to follow this guide.

If you are unsure which type of input to use, start by reading our "Choose inputs types" guide.

How to create an input on Graylog

To configure your Graylog input, you must first create it from the Graylog web interface. Then, declare the input on the Stackhero dashboard and open the necessary firewall port(s) to allow traffic to reach your instance.

1. Declare the input on the Graylog web interface

1. Log in to the Graylog web interface and go to System, then Inputs.

2. In the Select input dropdown menu, choose an input based on the type of data you will receive and click Launch new input.

   Selecting an input on Graylog web UI

3. In the window that opens, tick Global and assign a title (for example, "GELF UDP" if you do not have a more specific title). Do not modify any other settings unless you are certain of what you are doing.

If you wish to use TLS encryption (SSL/HTTPS), DO NOT select TLS in the Graylog web interface. TLS encryption is managed directly by your reverse proxy via the Stackhero dashboard.

Example of a GELF UDP input in Graylog

1. Note the port of your input, as you will need to specify it later on the Stackhero dashboard. Then click Save.

2. Declare the input on Stackhero

After creating the input on the Graylog web interface, you need to declare it on the Stackhero dashboard.

1. Go to your Stackhero dashboard and select your Graylog instance.
2. Click on the Configure button.
3. In the Input ports list, check if the port for your new input is already declared. If not, add it.
4. Check the protocol type (UDP or TCP). If you are using TCP, you can enable TLS encryption (SSL/HTTPS) by ticking the corresponding option (remember that you should not enable TLS on the Graylog web interface!).
5. Once these steps are complete, validate your new configuration.

Example of a GELF UDP input configuration on Stackhero

3. Allow traffic through the firewall

Finally, after declaring your input on the Stackhero dashboard, you need to allow traffic through your firewall.

1. Go to the Stackhero dashboard, select your Graylog service, and click on Firewall.
2. Check that there is a rule accepting traffic from your IP (or use 0.0.0.0/0 to allow all IPs).
3. If no such rule exists, create one by clicking the Add a rule button.
4. Select the IP you wish to allow (set it to 0.0.0.0/0 for all IPs), and specify the ports that will receive data from this IP.
5. Choose the Accept action.

Save the rule and validate the configuration by clicking the Validate button.

Example of a firewall configuration

Your input is now fully configured and ready to use!

Troubleshooting: a Graylog input does not work

If a Graylog input is not working as expected, check the following points:

1. On the Graylog web interface:

   1. Go to System then Inputs and confirm that the input is running.
   2. Check that the protocol (UDP or TCP) is correct.
   3. If you are using TCP, ensure that tls_enable is set to false as encryption is managed on the Stackhero dashboard.
   4. Confirm that the port is correct.
   5. Check that the data format is correct (GELF, CEF, RAW or Syslog).

2. On the Stackhero dashboard:

   1. Select your Graylog instance and click the Configure button.
   2. In the Input ports list, ensure that the port is defined with the appropriate protocol (UDP or TCP).
   3. If you are using TCP, check that the TLS option is enabled for encryption (SSL/HTTPS).

3. On the firewall:

   1. In the Stackhero dashboard, select your Graylog instance and click on the Firewall tab.
   2. Check that there is a rule accepting traffic for the input port and protocol. If you wish to allow all IPs, set the IP field to 0.0.0.0/0.

By following this checklist, your input should work correctly.