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Creating Attributes based on log content#

One of the benefits of an OpenTelemetry log is that it is structured. Rather than just a single log line with some text, the collector transforms it into a structured object (eg. JSON).

This makes it possible to attach new attributes to a log line. These attributes are key/value pairs of information that you care about.

In this scenario, you will add a new Key/Value attribute conditionally based on the content of the log line.

Imagine this log line:

My dummy log line from userId=123 part of userTier=tier1

That is somewhat useful, but it is probably more useful for a human if we instantly know that tier1 customers qualify for the gold level support tier.

The OpenTelemetry collector can read the log line and add a new Key/Value pair: 

support.tier: gold

when the log line contains userTier=tier1. userTier2 == silver and userTier3 == bronze and so on.

scenario6.yaml shows the OpenTelemetry collector configuration to achieve this.

Stop Previous Collector#

If you haven't done so already, stop the previous collector process by pressing Ctrl + C.

Start Collector#

Run the following command to start the collector:

/workspaces/$RepositoryName/dynatrace-otel-collector --config=/workspaces/$RepositoryName/scenario6.yaml

Generate Log Data#

Open file.log file and add this line then save the file.

My sixth dummy log line from userId=123 part of userTier=tier1

Verify Debug Data in Collector Output#

View the collector terminal window and verify that the support.tier attribute has been added:

...
Body: Str(My sixth dummy log line from userId=123 part of userTier=tier1)
Attributes:
     -> log.file.name: Str(file.log)
     -> log.file.path: Str(/workspaces/demo-opentelemetry-cleanup/file.log)
     -> support.tier: Str(gold)
...

View Data in Dynatrace#

Tip

Right click and "open image in new tab" to see large image

scenario6 dynatrace results

There are a lot of columns shown so either scroll all the way to the right to see the support.tier column.

Or cleanup the columns by choosing to keep only certain columns:

fetch logs
| filter contains(content, "dummy log line")
| fieldsKeep timestamp, content, host.name, log.file.name, log.file.path, os.type, support.tier

Click the Run button again on the DQL tile. You should see the new data.

Congratulations! You can now add any important Key/Value information as logs flow through the collector.