Question 1

How to install Logstash DynamoDB plugin step by step?

Accepted Answer

Start by installing JRuby, Maven, and Git. Clone the repository, use JRuby to install Bundler, run bundle install, build the gem with gem build, and install it via Logstash's plugin command, as detailed in the README's 'Setting Up' section.

Question 2

Logstash DynamoDB plugin vs AWS Kinesis Data Streams for DynamoDB?

Accepted Answer

This plugin is best for Elastic Stack integration, outputting directly to Logstash and Elasticsearch. Kinesis is more flexible for broader AWS service streaming but requires additional setup for Elasticsearch output. Choose based on your existing infrastructure.

Question 3

How to handle errors or crashes during streaming?

Accepted Answer

Configure the checkpointer setting to resume from the last processed shard in DynamoDB Streams. Ensure checkpointing is enabled and monitor CloudWatch metrics if publish_metrics is set, but recovery depends on proper configuration and Logstash stability.

Question 4

Can I use this plugin with DynamoDB Local for testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, set the endpoint to http://localhost:8000 in the configuration file. However, ensure your AWS access keys match those used to create the local table, as noted in the README's endpoint description.

Question 5

How to index multiple DynamoDB tables simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Add multiple dynamodb input sections in the Logstash configuration file, each with its own table_name and settings. Ensure each table has Streams enabled and proper credentials, as mentioned in the 'Multi-Table Support' feature.

Question 6

What are the performance implications of the initial scan?

Accepted Answer

The scan can consume provisioned read capacity; tune read_ops and number_of_scan_threads to control throughput. For large tables, this may impact production performance, so schedule scans during off-peak hours if possible.

Question 7

Is this plugin still maintained and compatible with Logstash 7+?

Accepted Answer

As an AWS Labs project, maintenance may be inconsistent; check the GitHub repository for recent commits and issue reports. Compatibility with newer Logstash versions isn't guaranteed, and users might need to adjust configurations or seek forks.

logstash-input-dynamodb

What is logstash-input-dynamodb?

Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions