Referred by the iRule group - Logging

Ok, I'll try to address your questions one at a time.

 

 

1. How long does the OS hold historical data?

 

The BIG-IP as a rule doesn't store historical data. Only current values and averages are stored for the traffic. The performance graphs in the Overview section of the GUI) are the only exception to this rule. The data here is compressed over time similar to how MRTG stores it's historical data. Currently this is in a compressed file and is accessible via the iControl System::Statistics interface if you want to get to the raw data in CSV format.

 

 

2. What are my options for retreving and formatting the stored data?

 

The only stored data as I mentioned above is the data behind the performance graphs. The SDK includes a perl sample (performanceGraphs.pl) that will query the data behind the performance graphs. Keep in mind that this is not all the data you may be interested in, just the data we've included in the performance graphs.

 

 

3. Do I need to setup a syslog server and iRules to log these type of requests or is something built into the OS?

 

Not sure I really get this question. The best way to build a log of historical data is not to use iRules and syslog, but to build an iControl application outside of the BIG-IP that pulls the data your are interested in over time. All of our statistics methods include timestamps to aid in your historical storage.

 

 

As for your specifics, the source for all your data is available via our iControl interfaces. For some of your data points you will have to store a combination of total or current values and calculate the values for your report.

 

 

Hope this helps...

 

 

-Joe