Configuration Parameter Types

Configuration parameter values have different data types. Unfortunately, the type currently must be guessed from the description (consider contributing to the doc to help improve it). In general, the following types are used:

  • numbers

    The traditional integer format. Numbers may include ‘.’ and ‘,’ for readability. So you can for example specify either “1000” or “1,000” with the same result. Please note that rsyslogd simply ignores the punctuation. From it’s point of view, “1,,0.0.,.,0” also has the value 1000.

  • sizes

    Used for things like file size, main message queue sizes and the like. These are integers, but support modifier after the number part. For example, 1k means 1024. Supported are k(ilo), m(ega), g(iga), t(era), p(eta) and e(xa). Lower case letters refer to the traditional binary defintion (e.g. 1m equals 1,048,576) whereas upper case letters refer to their new 1000-based definition (e.g 1M equals 1,000,000).

  • complete line

    A string consisting of multiple characters. This is relatively seldom used and sometimes looks confusing (rsyslog v7+ has a much better approach at these types of values).

  • single word

    This is used when only a single word can be provided. A “single word” is a string without spaces in it. No quoting is necessary nor permitted (the quotes would become part of the word).

  • character

    A single (printable) character. Must not be quoted.

  • boolean

    The traditional boolean type, specified as “on” (1) or “off” (0).

Note that some other value types are occasionally used. However, the majority of types is one of those listed above. The list is updated as need arises and time permits.

See also

Help with configuring/using Rsyslog:

  • Mailing list - best route for general questions
  • GitHub: rsyslog source project - detailed questions, reporting issues that are believed to be bugs with Rsyslog
  • Stack Exchange (View, Ask) - experimental support from rsyslog community

See also

Contributing to Rsyslog: