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hobbit-*.cfg syntax check

9 messages in this thread

list Gary B. · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 10:40:12 -0400 ·
I searched through my archives of email on this mailing list, and
couldn't find an answer to my question...

Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.

If there isn't already a way to check the syntax of these files, I
think it would be a great feature to add.  Similar to the
named-checkconf scripts that are available for BIND.

I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
list Henrik Størner · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 17:08:59 +0200 ·
quoted from Gary B.
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if they 
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities, which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
quoted from Gary B.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik
list Kent Brodie · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 10:18:07 -0500 ·
Speaking of config files---    the "STOP" keyword in hobbit-alerts.cfg
does not appear to be recognized, even though it's referenced in the
documentation?!?!?!?


Kent C. Brodie - user-da7f7d5174c0@xymon.invalid
Department of Physiology
Medical College of Wisconsin
(XXX) XXX-XXXX
quoted from Henrik Størner
-----Original Message-----
From: Henrik Stoerner [mailto:user-ce4a2c883f75@xymon.invalid] 
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 10:09 AM
To: user-ae9b8668bcde@xymon.invalid
Subject: Re: [hobbit] hobbit-*.cfg syntax check

On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if they 
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities, which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik
list Jerry Yu · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 11:22:30 -0400 ·
just a thought, what about using a dir named 'client_config' holding
individual config file for each client,  a default file, plus some wild-card
hosts as well. The benefit is obvious, the error in the syntax would not be
so devastating, since it affects on one client at a time unless it is
default file or wild-card config gets screwed.
Yesterday, I managed to delete 8 hosts entries on the top of the
hobbit-clients.cfg, and "HOST= of the 9th host entry. This caused checks for
the 9th host entry got applied to all thre remaining 24 hosts, as if they
are part of the default section (I have one at the bottom).
quoted from Kent Brodie

On 8/4/06, Henrik Stoerner <user-ce4a2c883f75@xymon.invalid> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if they
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities, which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik

list Gary B. · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 13:12:02 -0400 ·
That might get a little annoying if you have a large number of hosts
to monitor, though.  However, perhaps adding the ability to breakup a
config such as hobbit-clients into multiple files could help.
quoted from Jerry Yu
just a thought, what about using a dir named 'client_config' holding
individual config file for each client,  a default file, plus some wild-card
hosts as well. The benefit is obvious, the error in the syntax would not be
so devastating, since it affects on one client at a time unless it is
default file or wild-card config gets screwed.
Yesterday, I managed to delete 8 hosts entries on the top of the
hobbit-clients.cfg, and "HOST= of the 9th host entry. This caused checks for
the 9th host entry got applied to all thre remaining 24 hosts, as if they
are part of the default section (I have one at the bottom).


On 8/4/06, Henrik Stoerner <user-ce4a2c883f75@xymon.invalid> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if they
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities, which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik

list Jerry Yu · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 13:24:06 -0400 ·
why would it be annoying?  To custom a client, you either insert a section
to the hobbit-clients.cfg, or put such an insertion into a file named
clientName.cfg under such a directory dedicated for client conf. The latter
is less error-prone and less adverse impact when syntax error and
inadvertent deletion/editing happens.  I'd assume this is easier for the
server code to parse as well.
quoted from Gary B.

On 8/4/06, Gary B. <user-33b796116d5f@xymon.invalid> wrote:
That might get a little annoying if you have a large number of hosts
to monitor, though.  However, perhaps adding the ability to breakup a
config such as hobbit-clients into multiple files could help.
just a thought, what about using a dir named 'client_config' holding
individual config file for each client,  a default file, plus some
wild-card
hosts as well. The benefit is obvious, the error in the syntax would not
be
so devastating, since it affects on one client at a time unless it is
default file or wild-card config gets screwed.
Yesterday, I managed to delete 8 hosts entries on the top of the
hobbit-clients.cfg, and "HOST= of the 9th host entry. This caused checks
for
the 9th host entry got applied to all thre remaining 24 hosts, as if
they
are part of the default section (I have one at the bottom).


On 8/4/06, Henrik Stoerner <user-ce4a2c883f75@xymon.invalid> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not
working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if they
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities, which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik

list Gary B. · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 14:07:20 -0400 ·
Oh, you meant in addition to the current way host tests are added.
quoted from Jerry Yu
why would it be annoying?  To custom a client, you either insert a section
to the hobbit-clients.cfg, or put such an insertion into a file named
clientName.cfg under such a directory dedicated for client conf. The latter
is less error-prone and less adverse impact when syntax error and
inadvertent deletion/editing happens.  I'd assume this is easier for the
server code to parse as well.


On 8/4/06, Gary B. <user-33b796116d5f@xymon.invalid> wrote:
That might get a little annoying if you have a large number of hosts
to monitor, though.  However, perhaps adding the ability to breakup a
config such as hobbit-clients into multiple files could help.
just a thought, what about using a dir named 'client_config' holding
individual config file for each client,  a default file, plus some
wild-card
hosts as well. The benefit is obvious, the error in the syntax would not
be
so devastating, since it affects on one client at a time unless it is
default file or wild-card config gets screwed.
Yesterday, I managed to delete 8 hosts entries on the top of the
hobbit-clients.cfg, and "HOST= of the 9th host entry. This caused checks
for
the 9th host entry got applied to all thre remaining 24 hosts, as if
they
are part of the default section (I have one at the bottom).


On 8/4/06, Henrik Stoerner < user-ce4a2c883f75@xymon.invalid> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not
working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error, but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if they
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities, which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik

list Jerry Yu · Fri, 4 Aug 2006 14:39:43 -0400 ·
eh, not addition, replacement/alternate way.
quoted from Gary B.

On 8/4/06, Gary B. <user-33b796116d5f@xymon.invalid> wrote:
Oh, you meant in addition to the current way host tests are added.
why would it be annoying?  To custom a client, you either insert a
section
to the hobbit-clients.cfg, or put such an insertion into a file named
clientName.cfg under such a directory dedicated for client conf. The
latter
is less error-prone and less adverse impact when syntax error and
inadvertent deletion/editing happens.  I'd assume this is easier for the
server code to parse as well.


On 8/4/06, Gary B. <user-33b796116d5f@xymon.invalid> wrote:
That might get a little annoying if you have a large number of hosts
to monitor, though.  However, perhaps adding the ability to breakup a
config such as hobbit-clients into multiple files could help.
just a thought, what about using a dir named 'client_config' holding
individual config file for each client,  a default file, plus some
wild-card
hosts as well. The benefit is obvious, the error in the syntax would
not
be
so devastating, since it affects on one client at a time unless it
is
default file or wild-card config gets screwed.
Yesterday, I managed to delete 8 hosts entries on the top of the
hobbit-clients.cfg, and "HOST= of the 9th host entry. This caused
checks
for
the 9th host entry got applied to all thre remaining 24 hosts, as if
they
are part of the default section (I have one at the bottom).


On 8/4/06, Henrik Stoerner < user-ce4a2c883f75@xymon.invalid> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:40:12AM -0400, Gary B. wrote:
Is there a syntax checker for the hobbit-*.cfg configuration
files
(such as hobbit-clients.cfg)?  I'm having an issue where some of
the
rules I set up are apparently being ignored, or otherwise not
working
as expected.  I have a feeling it may be due to a syntax error,
but
I'm not sure.
The utilities that read the configuration file does complain if
they
find something they cannot understand. Look in the clientdata.log
and page.log files (for hobbit-clients.cfg and hobbit-alerts.cfg,
respectively).

There are also "--dump-config" options for these two utilities,
which
will dump the configuration as they understand it. And complain
about any errors.
I'm also curious, how does Hobbit deal with syntax errors in the
configuration files?  Does it just skip over bad syntax, or stop
completely when it encounters an error?
It tries to cope, ignoring the error and continuing with whatever
bits of the config file it understands.


Regards,
Henrik

list Henrik Størner · Sun, 6 Aug 2006 13:52:18 +0200 ·
quoted from Kent Brodie
On Fri, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:18:07AM -0500, Brodie, Kent wrote:
Speaking of config files---    the "STOP" keyword in hobbit-alerts.cfg
does not appear to be recognized, even though it's referenced in the
documentation?!?!?!?
Could you show me an example where it is not recognized ? And also run 
the "bbcmd hobbitd_alert --test HOSTNAME SERVICE" to see how it
processes the config ?


Regards,
Henrik