NYLUG Presents: James Turnbull on Logstash - Yes, Logging Can Be Awesome (July 11, 2013)
Channel: NYLUG
Date: 2013-08-09

Logging. Everyone does it. Many without even knowing why they do it. It is considered a boring chore. A chore that is done by habit rather than for a purpose and one that does little more than consume CPU cycles and arrays of disks. Too many log environments are build with the maxim: 

"We should keep those logs in case we need them for something." 

Rather than: 

"Those logs tell use critical things about our applications and infrastructure." 

But logging doesn't have to be a chore or a purposeless exercise. Logging can be a core and critical part of your Development and Operations activities that adds value and helps you be more efficient, effective and identify and resolve issues faster. 

This session will show you how to do logging right with open source framework LogStash. We'll learn how to build a scalable, performant and useful open source logging environment. You'll see how to structure your events, give them context and make them available to search and consume by developers and operations staff. LogStash will change the way you think (and how much you care!) about logging. You'll certainly never think logging is boring again.* 

* Actual thoughts may vary. 

Links:

Logstash - http://www.logstash.net 

Bio: 

James is an author and open source geek. James authored The LogStash Book and two books about Puppet (Pro Puppet and the earlier book about Puppet.) He is also the author of three other books including Pro Linux System Administration, Pro Nagios 2.0, and Hardening Linux. 

For a real job, James is VP of Tech Ops for Puppet Labs. He likes food, wine, books, photography and cats. He is not overly keen on long walks on the beach and holding hands.