topic Add-on-Builder: How to Input-Interval in cron-format? in Getting Data In

Add-on-Builder: How to Input-Interval in cron-format?

LoMueller — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 14:59:55 GMT

Hi all,
I'm trying to create a new input for our created RestAPI-Call.
As this call should only be executed once in a month (ticket-data) I struggle with the only available Interval-Option which is seconds and not crontab-format.
I further discovered that when setting interval in seconds having splunk restarted the counter of seconds starts from that point in time somehow that messes with a predicted input interval.
Question: Is it possible to use cron-entry in underlaying input.conf file in created AoB-App?

Thanks for any feedback

Lothar

Re: Add-on-Builder: Input-Interval in cron-format

diogofgm — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 11:14:15 GMT

You could use checkpoints in order to not mess to much with time intervals. I've implemented something before that calls a REST API and saves the last data point date as a checkpoint and the next time I call it I just use the checkpoint as a starting date. In the add-on python logic you can use anything, in your case that could ticket id, ticket last update time, etc. There are helper functions that already help you accomplish this. This method also allows you to have more recent data to work with.

Some links that might be helpful:
https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/8.2.6/AdvancedDev/ModInputsCheckpoint
https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddonBuilder/4.1.0/UserGuide/PythonHelperFunctions

If you still want to go via the cron route there are some python libs (e.g. http://pypi.python.org/pypi/croniter/) that can convert cron into date time

Re: Add-on-Builder: Input-Interval in cron-format

LoMueller — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 11:16:47 GMT

Thanks for your hints; actually we do not use python-scripts (only Rest-Call).
As the Rest-API itself provides ability to define timerange to report on we simple need a defined schedule to perform the call.
Interval in seconds is not that best vehicle as by restarting splunk count starts at timepoint of restart.

To undstand you correct, cron-timing is not available/possible with AoB?
Or can I simply edit inputs.conf?

Lothar

Re: Add-on-Builder: Input-Interval in cron-format

diogofgm — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 11:28:36 GMT

As far as I know its just seconds. Also, looking into the docs on configuring inputs it just states seconds.

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddonBuilder/4.1.0/UserGuide/Usetheaddon

Re: Add-on-Builder: Input-Interval in cron-format

Azeemering — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:35:16 GMT

You can always just modify the inputs.conf interval entry to a cron setting.

For example for At 00:00 on day-of-month 1.

interval=0 0 1 * *

Re: Add-on-Builder: Input-Interval in cron-format

LoMueller — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:43:00 GMT

Thanks for your feedback.

Why does AoB then only provide seconds for the interval option and errors when trying to configure cron-formatted string?
Anybody able to put some light on this?

Lothar