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.
Add the Vector repo
helm repo add timberio https://packages.timber.io/helm/latestCheck available Helm chart configuration options
helm show values timberio/vector-agentConfigure 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.# https://vector.dev/docs/reference/sinks/stdout:type: consoleinputs: ["kubernetes_logs"]rawConfig: |target = "stdout"encoding = "json"VALUESInstall Vector
helm install --namespace vector --create-namespace vector timberio/vector-agent --values values.yamlObserve Vector
kubectl logs --namespace vector daemonset/vector-agentexplain this command
Deployment
Vector is an end-to-end observability data platform 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:
Administration
Restart
kubectl rollout restart --namespace vector daemonset/vector-agent
Observe
kubectl logs --namespace vector daemonset/vector-agent
Upgrade
helm repo update && helm upgrade --namespace vector vector timberio/vector-agent --reuse-values
Uninstall
helm uninstall --namespace vector vector