[Pkg-nagios-devel] hosts.cfg is data not config

Brian C DeRocher brian.derocher@mitretek.org
Thu, 9 Dec 2004 14:16:51 -0500


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I wanted to voice an opinion about hosts.cfg and similar files.  I=20
see them as data and not configuration.  What's the difference? =20
Config files modify HOW a program executes.  Data files modify WHAT
a program executes on.

nagios.cfg is config.  For example, use_syslog=3D1 is a setting.

services.cfg is data.

OK assuming we agree on that.  I think config files could possibly be=20
stored in XML.  Data should be stored in CSV, or use libdb, or just
abstract it all and use ODBC.  And understanding that it's data,
perhaps it's better to store this information in /var/lib/nagios/.
After all if i were using nagios-pgsql the data would be in /var/lib/
postgres/.

You may be thinking, what sort of user want to fill in all fields in a
CSV record when most are inherited.  My response is users should never
have to edit that file.  The web application should have the feature
to add host, modify host, delete host, services, contacts, etc.

Also, your archives could be searchable.  I mean i would prefer to
contribute to a thread rather than create a new one.

I'm glad to see Nagios under new direction.  Thanks for your efforts.

=2D-=20
Brian C. DeRocher @ Mitretek Systems
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