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Simple Log Service:Parsing in Apache mode

Last Updated:Mar 21, 2024

You can use a Logtail plug-in to parse Apache logs into structured data based on the log format that you specify in your Apache configuration file. In this case, a log is parsed into multiple key-value pairs.

Introduction to Apache logs

Apache servers generate Apache logs based on the log display format, log file directory, and log file name that are specified in an Apache configuration file. For example, if you enter CustomLog "/var/log/apache2/access_log" combined, logs are displayed in the combined log format, and the log file directory is /var/log/apache2/access_log.

  • Apache log formats

    • Combined log format:

      LogFormat "%h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %b \"%{Referer}i\" \"%{User-Agent}i\"" combined
    • Common log format:

      LogFormat "%h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %b" 
    • Custom log format:

      LogFormat "%h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %b \"%{Referer}i\" \"%{User-Agent}i\" %D %f %k %p %q %R %T %I %O" customized

    The following table describes the log fields. For more information, see mod_log_config.

    Format

    Field

    Description

    %a

    client_addr

    The IP address of the client.

    %A

    local_addr

    The local IP address.

    %b

    response_size_bytes

    The number of bytes in a response. If no bytes are sent, a hyphen (-) is displayed for this field.

    %B

    response_bytes

    The number of bytes in a response. If no bytes are sent, the digit 0 is displayed for this field.

    %D

    request_time_msec

    The time that is required to process a request. Unit: microseconds.

    %f

    filename

    The file name.

    %h

    remote_addr

    The name of the remote host.

    %H

    request_protocol_supple

    The request protocol.

    %I

    bytes_received

    The number of bytes that are received by the server. This field is recorded in logs only after you enable the mod_logio module.

    %k

    keep_alive

    The number of keep-alive requests that are handled on the connection.

    %l

    remote_ident

    The information that is provided by the remote host for identification.

    %m

    request_method_supple

    The HTTP request method.

    %O

    bytes_sent

    The number of bytes that are sent by the server. This field is recorded in logs only after you enable the mod_logio module.

    %p

    remote_port

    The port number of the server.

    %P

    child_process

    The ID of the child process.

    %q

    request_query

    The query string. If no query strings exist, an empty string is displayed.

    %r

    request

    The first line of the request. This line consists of the HTTP request method, address, and HTTP version.

    %R

    response_handler

    The type of the handler that generates a response on the server.

    %s

    status

    The initial HTTP status of a response.

    %>s

    status

    The final HTTP status of a response.

    %t

    time_local

    The point in time at which the server receives the request.

    %T

    request_time_sec

    The time that is required to process a request. Unit: seconds.

    %u

    remote_user

    The username that is used by the client to send a request.

    %U

    request_uri_supple

    The URI in a request. The URI does not include the query string.

    %v

    server_name

    The name of the server.

    %V

    server_name_canonical

    The name of the server. The name is specified by using the UseCanonicalName directive.

    “%{User-Agent}i”

    http_user_agent

    The information about the client.

    “%{Referer}i”

    http_referer

    The URL of the source web page.

Entry point

If you want to use a Logtail plug-in to process logs, you can add a Logtail plug-in configuration when you create or modify a Logtail configuration. For more information, see Overview.

Configuration description

Parameter

Description

Log Format

The log format that is specified in the Apache configuration file. Valid values: common, combined, and Custom.

APACHE Logformat Configuration

The log configuration section that is specified in the Apache configuration file. In most cases, the section starts with LogFormat.

  • If you set Log Format to common or combined, the system automatically inserts a value into this parameter. Check whether the value is the same as that specified in the Apache configuration file.

  • If you set Log Format to Custom, specify a value based on your business requirements. For example, you can enter LogFormat "%h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %b \"%{Referer}i\" \"%{User-Agent}i\" %D %f %k %p %q %R %T %I %O" customized.

Original Field

The original field that stores log content before parsing. Default value: content.

Regular Expression

The regular expression that is used to extract Apache logs. Simple Log Service automatically generates a regular expression based on APACHE Logformat Configuration.

Extracted Field

The key that is automatically extracted based on APACHE Logformat Configuration.

Retain Original Field if Parsing Fails

After you select Retain Original Field if Parsing Fails, the original field is retained if parsing fails.

Retain Original Field if Parsing Succeeds

After you select Retain Original Field if Parsing Succeeds, the original field is retained if parsing is successful.

New Name of Original Field

If you select Retain Original Field if Parsing Fails or Retain Original Field if Parsing Succeeds, you can rename the original field that stores log content.