Install Vector via Nix

Nix is a cross-platform package manager implemented on a functional deployment model where software is installed into unique directories generated through cryptographic hashes, it is also the name of the programming language. This page will cover installing and managing Vector through the Nix package repository.

Because Vector must be manually updated on Nix, new Vector releases will be delayed. Generally new Vector releases are made available within a few days.

Installation

• Agent Role
• Aggregator Role

The agent role is designed to collect all data on a single host. Vector runs as a background process and interfaces with a host-level APIs for data collection. By default, Vector will collect logs from Journald via Vector's journald source and metrics via the host_metrics source, but it is recommended to adjust your pipeline as necessary using Vector's sources, transforms, and sinks.

---

1. Install Vector

   nix-env --file https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/archive/master.tar.gz --install --attr vector

2. Configure Vector

   none

3. Start Vector

   vector --config /etc/vector/vector.toml

4. Observe Vector

   vector top

   explain this command

How was it? Did this tutorial work?  Yes  No

Deployment

Vector is an end-to-end observability data pipeline designed to deploy under various roles. You mix and match these roles to create topologies. The intent is to make Vector as flexible as possible, allowing you to fluidly integrate Vector into your infrastructure over time. The deployment section demonstrates common Vector pipelines:

Common Deployment Topologies

Administration

Start

vector --config /etc/vector/vector.toml

explain this command

Reload

killall -s SIGHUP vector

explain this command

Observe

vector top

explain this command

Upgrade

nix-env --file https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/archive/master.tar.gz --upgrade vector

explain this command

Uninstall

nix-env --uninstall vector

explain this command