Router Log Forwarding to Observability Platforms
Without setting up a seperate Syslog Server, can we have a Tp-Link feature which includes the ability for a Tp-Link router i.e., Archer A9 in my case to forward log messages to popular observability platforms like Datadog and New Relic?
This functionality will enhance network monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities by integrating router logs with centralized observability tools.
Technical Details:
- The router control panel will offer a dedicated configuration section for enabling log forwarding.
- Users can select the target observability platform (e.g., Datadog, New Relic).
- Configuration options will include:
- Log Level Selection: Allow users to specify the severity level of logs to be forwarded (e.g., informational, warnings, errors).
- Filtering Options: Enable basic log filtering capabilities based on keywords or facility (if supported by the router).
- Authentication (if applicable): Provide a secure mechanism for the router to authenticate with the chosen observability platform (e.g., API key).
- The router will utilize industry-standard protocols for log forwarding, such as:
- Syslog: A widely supported protocol for sending log messages to a central server.
- gRPC (optional): A high-performance protocol for efficient log transmission (subject to platform and router capabilities).
User Benefits:
- Centralized Logging: Integrates router logs with existing observability workflows for improved network monitoring.
- Enhanced Troubleshooting: Enables faster identification and resolution of network issues by correlating router logs with other system events.
- Improved Observability: Provides a holistic view of network health and performance.
Implementation Considerations:
- The initial implementation might focus on supporting a limited set of popular observability platforms (e.g., Datadog, New Relic).
- Security best practices will be followed for authentication and data transmission.
- User interface design will prioritize ease of configuration for users with varying technical expertise.
Future Enhancements:
- Support for additional observability platforms preferrably open source.
- Advanced log filtering and parsing capabilities.
- Real-time log streaming to observability platforms.
IMO, This feature proposal can empower Tp-Link users with a more comprehensive and streamlined approach to network management.