Rsyslog log forwarding: Best practices and implementation with New Relic

Centralizing and managing log data from multiple sources can be challenging, but open-source tools like rsyslog and syslog-ng can streamline the process by forwarding logs to centralized locations such as New Relic. Syslog is a standard protocol used for sending system log messages to a specific server, supported by major operating systems like macOS, Linux, and Unix. Syslog-ng extends this protocol with advanced filtering and configuration options, while rsyslog offers a fast, open-source solution for collecting, transforming, and routing log messages, and is the default syslog utility in Ubuntu and Debian. Rsyslog is particularly favored by security-focused teams as it avoids third-party software on sensitive systems. Best practices for monitoring logs with rsyslog include centralizing log data, configuring log rotation and compression, employing reliable log forwarding mechanisms, using structured log formats like JSON for easier analysis, and setting up alerting for anomalies. Rsyslog's features, such as disk-assisted queuing, enhance the reliability and efficiency of log management, making it suitable for handling logs from networking and security devices. The article provides detailed instructions for configuring rsyslog to forward logs to New Relic, highlighting the importance of secure and efficient log data handling.