Collecting output received by executing a script over an SSH connection
To collect output received by executing a script over an SSH connection, you need to create the Monitor script output over SSH data collector.
If you have data stored in a database or another product repository and this data is unavailable via log files, you can collect data by using this data collector.
This data collector cannot be used to collect data that is generated as a result of running the binary files (or executable files). For example, .exe files on the Windows platform.
To collect output received by executing a script over an SSH connection
- Navigate to Administration > Data Collectors > Add Data Collector
.
- In the Name box, provide a unique name to identify this data collector.
- From the Type list, select Monitor script output over SSH.
Provide the following information, as appropriate:
Field
Description
Target/Collection Host
Target Host
Note: For this type of data collector, the SSH File Transfer Protocol (sftp) sub system should be enabled on target host.
Collection Host (Agent)
Type or select the collection host depending on whether you want to use the Collection Station or the Collection Agent to perform data collection.
The collection host is the computer on which the Collection Station or the Collection Agent is located.
By default, the Collection Station is already selected. You can either retain the default selection or select the Collection Agent.
Note: For this type of data collector, the target host and collection host are expected to have different values.
Collector Inputs
Server Name
The host name of the server on which the data is generated as a result of running the script.
Note: If you selected a target host earlier, this field is automatically populated.
Credentials
(Optional) Select one of the following options:
- Apply security credential to automatically populate the user name and password fields.
Then select the appropriate credential (profile) from the Available Credential list that you already configured under Administration > Credentials. - Provide Credential to manually add user name and password credentials.
Then enter the credentials in the User Name and Password fields.
You can also create a credential that uses the manually entered details by clicking Add Credentialnext to the Password field.
User Name
Provide the user name for connecting with the server from which you want to retrieve the data.
Note: This field is disabled if you applied a security profile earlier.
The product supports only password-based authentication for connecting with the SSH server.
Password
Provide the password for connecting with the server from which you want to retrieve the data.
Click Add Credential
, provide a credential name, and click OK to create a new credential (profile) from the credentials that you provided in the user name and password fields. Once this credential is created, it is displayed under Administration > Credentials.
Note: This field is disabled if you applied a security credential earlier.
Script Path
Provide the complete path to the script that you want to execute on the remote computer for retrieving data.
You can also pass parameters dynamically while executing the script.
For example, you can execute the following script that takes the input parameter as your name and prints "Hello."
Script example#!/bin/bash
echo "Hello $1"In this case, you must enter script.sh MyName in this field.
where:
script.sh is the name of the file in which you saved the preceding script.
MyName refers to the name that you want to pass as the input parameter.
Note: If there is a space character in one of the directory names in your script path, then you must enclose the directory name with double quotes (").
Time Zone
Data Pattern
Pattern
Date Format
Date Locale
(Optional) You can use this setting to enable reading the date and time string based on the language selected. Note that this setting only applies to those portions of the date and time string that consist letters (digits are not considered).
By default, this value is set to English.
You can manually select a language to override the default locale. For a list of languages supported, see Language-information.
File Encoding
If your data file uses a character set encoding other than UTF-8 (default), then do one of the following:
- Filter the relevant character set encodings that match the file.
To do this, click Filter relevant charset encodingnext to this field.
- Manually scan through the list available and select an appropriate option.
- Allow TrueSight IT Data Analytics to use a relevant character set encoding for your file by manually select the AUTO option.
Script Time Out (mins)
Specify the time duration (in minutes) after which the script must time out. By default, this value is set to 10.
Poll Interval (mins)
Specify the interval (in minutes) after which the script must be executed and the script output data must be collected. By default, this value is set to 1.
The value of this field is passed as the last argument to the script.
Start/Stop Collection
(Optional) Select this check box if you want to start the data collection immediately.
The [expand] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline. Click on this message for details.
- Apply security credential to automatically populate the user name and password fields.
Click Create to save your changes.