Apache and Azure Data Explorer Integration

Input and output integration overview

This plugin interfaces with the Apache HTTP Server’s mod_status to gather and report performance metrics from the server.

The Azure Data Explorer plugin allows integration of metrics collection with Azure Data Explorer, enabling users to analyze and query their telemetry data efficiently. With this plugin, users can configure ingestion settings to suit their needs and leverage Azure’s powerful analytical capabilities.

Integration details

Apache

The Apache plugin collects server performance information using the mod_status module of the Apache HTTP Server. It relies on the mod_status feature, which must be explicitly enabled in the Apache configuration to access a machine-readable status page. This plugin allows users to fetch several metrics related to Apache’s operational performance, including worker status, connection statistics, and server load, thereby facilitating effective monitoring and troubleshooting of web server performance in real-time.

Azure Data Explorer

The Azure Data Explorer plugin allows users to write metrics, logs, and time series data collected from various Telegraf input plugins into Azure Data Explorer, Azure Synapse, and Real-Time Analytics in Fabric. This integration serves as a bridge, allowing applications and services to monitor their performance metrics or logs efficiently. Azure Data Explorer is optimized for analytics over large volumes of diverse data types, making it an excellent choice for real-time analytics and monitoring solutions in cloud environments. The plugin empowers users to configure metrics ingestion based on their requirements, define table schemas dynamically, and set various ingestion methods while retaining flexibility regarding roles and permissions needed for database operations. This supports scalable and secure monitoring setups for modern applications that utilize cloud services.

Configuration

Apache

[[inputs.apache]]
  ## An array of URLs to gather from, must be directed at the machine
  ## readable version of the mod_status page including the auto query string.
  ## Default is "http://localhost/server-status?auto".
  urls = ["http://localhost/server-status?auto"]

  ## Credentials for basic HTTP authentication.
  # username = "myuser"
  # password = "mypassword"

  ## Maximum time to receive response.
  # response_timeout = "5s"

  ## Optional TLS Config
  # tls_ca = "/etc/telegraf/ca.pem"
  # tls_cert = "/etc/telegraf/cert.pem"
  # tls_key = "/etc/telegraf/key.pem"
  ## Use TLS but skip chain & host verification
  # insecure_skip_verify = false

Azure Data Explorer

[[outputs.azure_data_explorer]]
  ## The URI property of the Azure Data Explorer resource on Azure
  ## ex: endpoint_url = https://myadxresource.australiasoutheast.kusto.windows.net
  endpoint_url = ""

  ## The Azure Data Explorer database that the metrics will be ingested into.
  ## The plugin will NOT generate this database automatically, it's expected that this database already exists before ingestion.
  ## ex: "exampledatabase"
  database = ""

  ## Timeout for Azure Data Explorer operations
  # timeout = "20s"

  ## Type of metrics grouping used when pushing to Azure Data Explorer.
  ## Default is "TablePerMetric" for one table per different metric.
  ## For more information, please check the plugin README.
  # metrics_grouping_type = "TablePerMetric"

  ## Name of the single table to store all the metrics (Only needed if metrics_grouping_type is "SingleTable").
  # table_name = ""

  ## Creates tables and relevant mapping if set to true(default).
  ## Skips table and mapping creation if set to false, this is useful for running Telegraf with the lowest possible permissions i.e. table ingestor role.
  # create_tables = true

  ##  Ingestion method to use.
  ##  Available options are
  ##    - managed  --  streaming ingestion with fallback to batched ingestion or the "queued" method below
  ##    - queued   --  queue up metrics data and process sequentially
  # ingestion_type = "queued"

Input and output integration examples

Apache

1. Real-Time Performance Monitoring: Use the Apache input plugin to set up a real-time dashboard displaying critical performance metrics of your Apache server. By visualizing metrics such as BusyWorkers, and Load averages, you can quickly identify performance bottlenecks and server health issues, aiding in proactive management of web traffic loads.

2. Automated Alerting for Server Issues: Implement alerts based on metrics collected by this plugin to notify administrators in case of performance degradation. For instance, if the BusyWorkers metric exceeds a certain threshold, automatic alerts can be triggered, ensuring prompt incident response to maintain uptime and service reliability.

3. Historical Performance Analysis: Combine data collected by the Apache plugin with long-term storage solutions to track performance trends over time. This accumulated data helps in understanding usage patterns, forecasting resource needs, and making informed decisions regarding server scaling or optimization.

4. Cross-System Monitoring: Integrate metrics gathered from Apache alongside metrics from other components of your web stack using Telegraf’s capabilities to send data to a centralized monitoring solution. This holistic view can simplify troubleshooting and coordination between different technologies, ensuring optimal system performance across the board.

Azure Data Explorer

1. Real-Time Monitoring Dashboard: By integrating metrics from various services into Azure Data Explorer using this plugin, organizations can build comprehensive dashboards that reflect real-time performance metrics. This allows teams to respond proactively to performance issues and optimize system health without delay.

2. Centralized Log Management: Utilize Azure Data Explorer to consolidate logs from multiple applications and services. By utilizing the plugin, organizations can streamline their log analysis processes, making it easier to search, filter, and derive insights from historical data accumulated over time.

3. Data-Driven Alerting Systems: Enhance monitoring capabilities by configuring alerts based on metrics sent via this plugin. Organizations can set thresholds and automate incident responses, significantly reducing downtime and improving the reliability of critical operations.

4. Machine Learning Model Training: By leveraging the data sent to Azure Data Explorer, organizations can perform large-scale analytics and prepare the data for feeding into machine learning models. This plugin enables the structuring of data that can subsequently be used for predictive analytics, leading to enhanced decision-making capabilities.

Feedback

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