Install Vector via Helm

Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that facilitates the deployment and management of applications and services on Kubernetes clusters. This page will cover installing and managing Vector through the Helm package repository.

Installation

• Agent Role
• Aggregator Role

The agent role is designed to collect all Kubernetes log data on each Node. Vector runs as a DaemonSet and tails logs for the entire Pod, automatically enriching them with Kubernetes metadata via the Kubernetes API. Collection is handled automatically, and it is intended for you to adjust your pipeline as necessary using Vector's sources, transforms, and sinks.

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1. Add the Vector repo

   helm repo add timberio https://packages.timber.io/helm/latest

2. Check available Helm chart configuration options

   helm show values timberio/vector-agent

3. Configure Vector

   cat <<-'VALUES' > values.yaml
   # The Vector Kubernetes integration automatically defines a
   # kubernetes_logs source that is made available to you.
   # You do not need to define a log source.
   sinks:
     # Adjust as necessary. By default we use the console sink
     # to print all data. This allows you to see Vector working.
     # /docs/reference/sinks/
     stdout:
       type: console
       inputs: ["kubernetes_logs"]
       target: "stdout"
       encoding: "json"
   VALUES

4. Install Vector

   helm install --namespace vector --create-namespace vector timberio/vector-agent --values values.yaml

5. Observe Vector

   kubectl logs --namespace vector daemonset/vector-agent

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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

Restart

kubectl rollout restart --namespace vector daemonset/vector-agent

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Observe

kubectl logs --namespace vector daemonset/vector-agent

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Upgrade

helm repo update && helm upgrade --namespace vector vector timberio/vector-agent --reuse-values

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Uninstall

helm uninstall --namespace vector vector

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