Zabbix configure template

Vocable

Key points:

1. Zabbix configuration rely on templates = set of applications, items, triggers and actions.

1. Each template has a list of applications

1. Each application has a set of items = datasource

1. Each item has some triggers = conditions to raise an event with a specific alert level and type

1. Each trigger is bound to some actions = action to perform on when the trigger event is sent. A trigger can rely on many items.

1. Each host belongs to one or more groups. Each group has some related templates they apply to their hosts

How to create a new application and related item(s)

Access / create application

• Access applications' list

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Applications

• Create new application

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Applications >> Create application

==> Give a name to the new application and save.

==> It should appears it the applications list

Access / create item (~ datasource)

• Items list

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Applications >> Application's Items

• Create / edit item

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Applications >> Application's Item

• Fill the form

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Applications >> Application's Items >> Item >> Create Item | edit Item

Key : logrt[/var/log/vehco/smartcard-service.log,ERROR]

Important notes

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Each type of items has a different set of keys (functions). You can find the complete list on Zabbix documentation:

• List of items (v2.2): https://www.zabbix.com/documentation/2.2/manual/config/items/itemtypes
• Item's key for Zabbix agent (v2.2): https://www.zabbix.com/documentation/2.2/manual/config/items/itemtypes/zabbix_agent

To monitor a log file I'm using:

• Item type: zabbix agent (active) => the client will report all changes to the server, client's does NOT wait for server interrogation: it's pro-active
• Key: logrt => to handle log files rotation

If you're using DNS configuration then the host will report using the short name. Be sure your discovery is NOT using FQDN or you'll never have any data!!! That's why IP unique criteria for hosts make more sense!

How to create a new trigger(s)

Access triggers list (~ event condition)

You can access triggers list from an item or a template.

• From an Item:

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Applications >> Application's Items >> Item >> Triggers (purple arrow)

• From a Template:

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Triggers

... You should see something like:

Create a new trigger

→ Configuration menu >> Templates >> Searched template >> Triggers >> Create trigger

See the excellent Zabbix documentation regarding HOW to create a trigger: https://www.zabbix.com/documentation/2.2/manual/config/triggers

For the log you should have something like:

Expression = {<Template>:<ITEM>.str(<condition>)}=1

In my case:

• Template: Vehco-smartcards
• Item: logrt[/var/log/vehco/smartcard-service.log,ERROR]
• Condition: ERROR => react on "ERROR" string

{Vehco-smartcards:logrt[/var/log/vehco/smartcard-service.log,ERROR].str(ERROR)}=1

Note that the <ITEM> must the related ITEM.

Action

Access actions

→ Configuration menu >> Actions >> Create Action

Create action

The following example will react upon log file alert and send an email.

Action

On this 1st screen, you must:

• Give the action a name
• Set a custom email's body. You can use Zabbix variables
• enabled the new action

Conditions

No matter what conditions you choose, remember:

• Select and or or condition BEFORE adding a new condition
• You must select the matching trigger. That's the only minimal condition (see my example)

Operations

Just choose the email operation. An operation is the result of the previous action and conditions.

Conclusion

That's all. You should receive your alerts by now !

Sources:

• https://www.zabbix.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20211
• http://linuxkandi.blogspot.fr/2012/07/monitoring-log-files-with-zabbix.html