Description

This document introduces the best practices in the development of “centreon-plugins”.

As all plugins are written in Perl, “there is more than one way to do it”. But to avoid reinventing the wheel, you should first take a look at the “example” directory, you will get an overview of how to build your own plugin and associated modes.

There are 3 chapters:

The lastest version is available on following git repository: https://github.com/centreon/centreon-plugins.git

Quick Start

Directory creation

First of all, you need to create a directory on the git to store the new plugin.

Root directories are organized by section:

  • Application : apps

  • Database : database

  • Hardware : hardware

  • network equipment : network

  • Operating System : os

  • Storage equipment : storage

According to the monitored object, it exists an organization which can use:

  • Type

  • Constructor

  • Model

  • Monitoring Protocol

For example, if you want to add a plugin to monitor Linux by SNMP, you need to create this directory:

$ mkdir -p os/linux/snmp

You also need to create a “mode” directory for futures modes:

$ mkdir os/linux/snmp/mode

Plugin creation

Once the directory is created, create the plugin file inside it:

$ touch plugin.pm

Then, edit plugin.pm to add license terms by copying it from an other plugin. Don’t forget to put your name at the end of it:

# ...
# Authors : <your name> <<your email>>

Next, describe your package name : it matches your plugin directory.

package path::to::plugin;

Declare used libraries (strict and warnings are mandatory). Centreon libraries are described later:

use strict;
use warnings;
use base qw(**centreon_library**);

The plugin need a new constructor to instantiate the object:

sub new {
      my ($class, %options) = @_;
      my $self = $class->SUPER::new(package => __PACKAGE__, %options);
      bless $self, $class;

      ...

      return $self;
}

Plugin version must be declared in the new constructor:

$self->{version} = '0.1';

Several modes can be declared in the new constructor:

$self->{modes} = {
    'mode1'    => '<plugin_path>::mode::mode1',
    'mode2'    => '<plugin_path>::mode::mode2',
    ...
};

Then, declare the module:

1;

A description of the plugin is needed to generate the documentation:

__END__

=head1 PLUGIN DESCRIPTION

<Add a plugin description here>.

=cut

Tip

You can copy-paste an other plugin.pm and adapt some lines (package, arguments…).

Tip

The plugin has “.pm” extension because it’s a Perl module. So don’t forget to add 1; at the end of the file.

Mode creation

Once plugin.pm is created and modes are declared in it, create modes in the mode directory:

cd mode
touch mode1.pm

Then, edit mode1.pm to add license terms by copying it from an other mode. Don’t forget to put your name at the end of it:

# ...
# Authors : <your name> <<your email>>

Next, describe your package name: it matches your mode directory.

package path::to::plugin::mode::mode1;

Declare used libraries (always the same):

use strict;
use warnings;
use base qw(centreon::plugins::mode);

The mode needs a new constructor to instantiate the object:

sub new {
      my ($class, %options) = @_;
      my $self = $class->SUPER::new(package => __PACKAGE__, %options);
      bless $self, $class;

      ...

      return $self;
}

Mode version must be declared in the new constructor:

$self->{version} = '1.0';

Several options can be declared in the new constructor:

$options{options}->add_options(arguments => {
    "option1:s" => { name => 'option1' },
    "option2:s" => { name => 'option2', default => 'value1' },
    "option3"   => { name => 'option3' },
});

Here is the description of arguments used in this example:

  • option1 : String value

  • option2 : String value with default value “value1”

  • option3 : Boolean value

Tip

You can have more informations about options format here: http://perldoc.perl.org/Getopt/Long.html

The mode need a check_options method to validate options:

sub check_options {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;
  $self->SUPER::init(%options);
  ...
}

For example, Warning and Critical thresholds must be validate in check_options method:

if (($self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'warning', value => $self->{option_results}->{warning})) == 0) {
     $self->{output}->add_option_msg(short_msg => "Wrong warning threshold '" . $self->{option_results}->{warning} . "'.");
     $self->{output}->option_exit();
}
if (($self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'critical', value => $self->{option_results}->{critical})) == 0) {
     $self->{output}->add_option_msg(short_msg => "Wrong critical threshold '" . $self->{option_results}->{critical} . "'.");
     $self->{output}->option_exit();
}

In this example, help is printed if thresholds do not have a correct format.

Then comes the run method, where you perform measurement, check thresholds, display output and format performance datas. This is an example to check a SNMP value:

sub run {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;
  $self->{snmp} = $options{snmp};
  $self->{hostname} = $self->{snmp}->get_hostname();

  my $result = $self->{snmp}->get_leef(oids => [$self->{option_results}->{oid}], nothing_quit => 1);
  my $value = $result->{$self->{option_results}->{oid}};

  my $exit = $self->{perfdata}->threshold_check(value => $value,
                             threshold => [ { label => 'critical', 'exit_litteral' => 'critical' }, { label => 'warning', exit_litteral => 'warning' } ]);
  $self->{output}->output_add(severity => $exit,
                              short_msg => sprintf("SNMP Value is %s.", $value));

  $self->{output}->perfdata_add(label => 'value', unit => undef,
                                value => $value,
                                warning => $self->{perfdata}->get_perfdata_for_output(label => 'warning'),
                                critical => $self->{perfdata}->get_perfdata_for_output(label => 'critical'),
                                min => undef, max => undef);

  $self->{output}->display();
  $self->{output}->exit();
}

In this example, we check a SNMP OID that we compare to warning and critical thresholds. There are the methods which we use:

  • get_leef : get a SNMP value from an OID

  • threshold_check : compare SNMP value to warning and critical thresholds

  • output_add : add output

  • perfdata_add : add perfdata to output

  • display : display output

  • exit : exit

Then, declare the module:

1;

A description of the mode and its arguments is needed to generate the documentation:

__END__

=head1 PLUGIN DESCRIPTION

<Add a plugin description here>.

=cut

Commit and push

Before committing the plugin, you need to create an enhancement ticket on the centreon-plugins forge : http://forge.centreon.com/projects/centreon-plugins

Once plugin and modes are developed, you can commit (commit messages in english) and push your work:

git add path/to/plugin
git commit -m "Add new plugin for XXXX refs #<ticked_id>"
git push

Libraries reference

This chapter describes Centreon libraries which you can use in your development.

Output

This library allows you to build output of your plugin.

output_add

Description

Add string to output (print it with display method). If status is different than ‘ok’, output associated with ‘ok’ status is not printed.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

severity

String

OK

Status of the output.

separator

String

-

Separator between status and output string.

short_msg

String

Short output (first line).

long_msg

String

Long output (used with –verbose option).

Example

This is an example of how to manage output:

$self->{output}->output_add(severity  => 'OK',
                            short_msg => 'All is ok');
$self->{output}->output_add(severity  => 'Critical',
                            short_msg => 'There is a critical problem');
$self->{output}->output_add(long_msg  => 'Port 1 is disconnected');

$self->{output}->display();

Output displays :

CRITICAL - There is a critical problem
Port 1 is disconnected

perfdata_add

Description

Add performance data to output (print it with display method). Performance data are displayed after ‘|’.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

label

String

Label of the performance data.

value

Int

Value of the performance data.

unit

String

Unit of the performance data.

warning

String

Warning threshold.

critical

String

Critical threshold.

min

Int

Minimum value of the performance data.

max

Int

Maximum value of the performance data.

Example

This is an example of how to add performance data:

$self->{output}->output_add(severity  => 'OK',
                            short_msg => 'Memory is ok');
$self->{output}->perfdata_add(label    => 'memory_used',
                              value    => 30000000,
                              unit     => 'B',
                              warning  => '80000000',
                              critical => '90000000',
                              min      => 0,
                              max      => 100000000);

$self->{output}->display();

Output displays:

OK - Memory is ok | 'memory_used'=30000000B;80000000;90000000;0;100000000

Perfdata

This library allows you to manage performance data.

get_perfdata_for_output

Description

Manage thresholds of performance data for output.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

label

String

Threshold label.

total

Int

Percent threshold to transform in global.

cast_int

Int (0 or 1)

Cast absolute to int.

op

String

Operator to apply to start/end value (uses with ‘value’).

value

Int

Value to apply with ‘op’ option.

Example

This is an example of how to manage performance data for output:

my $format_warning_perfdata  = $self->{perfdata}->get_perfdata_for_output(label => 'warning', total => 1000000000, cast_int => 1);
my $format_critical_perfdata = $self->{perfdata}->get_perfdata_for_output(label => 'critical', total => 1000000000, cast_int => 1);

$self->{output}->perfdata_add(label    => 'memory_used',
                              value    => 30000000,
                              unit     => 'B',
                              warning  => $format_warning_perfdata,
                              critical => $format_critical_perfdata,
                              min      => 0,
                              max      => 1000000000);

Tip

In this example, instead of print warning and critical thresholds in ‘percent’, the function calculates and prints these in ‘bytes’.

threshold_validate

Description

Validate and affect threshold to a label.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

label

String

Threshold label.

value

String

Threshold value.

Example

This example checks if warning threshold is correct:

if (($self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'warning', value => $self->{option_results}->{warning})) == 0) {
  $self->{output}->add_option_msg(short_msg => "Wrong warning threshold '" . $self->{option_results}->{warning} . "'.");
  $self->{output}->option_exit();
}

Tip

You can see the correct threshold format here: https://nagios-plugins.org/doc/guidelines.html#THRESHOLDFORMAT

threshold_check

Description

Check performance data value with threshold to determine status.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

value

Int

Performance data value to compare.

threshold

String array

Threshold label to compare and exit status if reached.

Example

This example checks if performance data reached thresholds:

$self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'warning', value => 80);
$self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'critical', value => 90);
my $prct_used = 85;

my $exit = $self->{perfdata}->threshold_check(value => $prct_used, threshold => [ { label => 'critical', 'exit_litteral' => 'critical' }, { label => 'warning', exit_litteral => 'warning' } ]);

$self->{output}->output_add(severity  => $exit,
                            short_msg => sprint("Used memory is %i%%", $prct_used));
$self->{output}->display();

Output displays:

WARNING - Used memory is 85% |

change_bytes

Description

Convert bytes to human readable unit. Return value and unit.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

value

Int

Performance data value to convert.

network

1024

Unit to divide (1000 if defined).

Example

This example change bytes to human readable unit:

my ($value, $unit) = $self->{perfdata}->change_bytes(value => 100000);

print $value.' '.$unit."\n";

Output displays:

100 KB

Snmp

This library allows you to use SNMP protocol in your plugin. To use it, add the following line at the beginning of your plugin.pm:

use base qw(centreon::plugins::script_snmp);

get_leef

Description

Return hash table table of SNMP values for multiple OIDs (do not work with SNMP table).

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

oids

String array

Array of OIDs to check (Can be set by ‘load’ method).

dont_quit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Don’t quit even if an snmp error occured.

nothing_quit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Quit if no value is returned.

Example

This is an example of how to get 2 SNMP values:

my $oid_hrSystemUptime = '.1.3.6.1.2.1.25.1.1.0';
my $oid_sysUpTime = '.1.3.6.1.2.1.1.3.0';

my $result = $self->{snmp}->get_leef(oids => [ $oid_hrSystemUptime, $oid_sysUpTime ], nothing_quit => 1);

print $result->{$oid_hrSystemUptime}."\n";
print $result->{$oid_sysUpTime}."\n";

load

Description

Load a range of OIDs to use with get_leef method.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

oids

String array

Array of OIDs to check.

instances

Int array

Array of OID instances to check.

instance_regexp

String

Regular expression to get instances from instances option.

begin

Int

Instance to begin

end

Int

Instance to end

Example

This is an example of how to get 4 instances of a SNMP table by using load method:

my $oid_dskPath = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.2021.9.1.2';

$self->{snmp}->load(oids => [$oid_dskPercentNode], instances => [1,2,3,4]);

my $result = $self->{snmp}->get_leef(nothing_quit => 1);

use Data::Dumper;
print Dumper($result);

This is an example of how to get multiple instances dynamically (memory modules of Dell hardware) by using load method:

my $oid_memoryDeviceStatus = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.1100.50.1.5';
my $oid_memoryDeviceLocationName = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.1100.50.1.8';
my $oid_memoryDeviceSize = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.1100.50.1.14';
my $oid_memoryDeviceFailureModes = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.1100.50.1.20';

my $result = $self->{snmp}->get_table(oid => $oid_memoryDeviceStatus);
$self->{snmp}->load(oids => [$oid_memoryDeviceLocationName, $oid_memoryDeviceSize, $oid_memoryDeviceFailureModes],
                    instances => [keys %$result],
                    instance_regexp => '(\d+\.\d+)$');

my $result2 = $self->{snmp}->get_leef();

use Data::Dumper;
print Dumper($result2);

get_table

Description

Return hash table of SNMP values for SNMP table.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

oid

String

OID of the snmp table to check.

start

Int

First OID to check.

end

Int

Last OID to check.

dont_quit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Don’t quit even if an SNMP error occured.

nothing_quit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Quit if no value is returned.

return_type

Int (0 or 1)

0

Return a hash table with one level instead of multiple.

Example

This is an example of how to get a SNMP table:

my $oid_rcDeviceError            = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.15004.4.2.1';
my $oid_rcDeviceErrWatchdogReset = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.15004.4.2.1.2.0';

my $results = $self->{snmp}->get_table(oid => $oid_rcDeviceError, start => $oid_rcDeviceErrWatchdogReset);

use Data::Dumper;
print Dumper($results);

get_multiple_table

Description

Return hash table of SNMP values for multiple SNMP tables.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

oids

Hash table

Hash table of OIDs to check (Can be set by ‘load’ method). Keys can be: “oid”, “start”, “end”.

dont_quit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Don’t quit even if an SNMP error occured.

nothing_quit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Quit if no value is returned.

return_type

Int (0 or 1)

0

Return a hash table with one level instead of multiple.

Example

This is an example of how to get 2 SNMP tables:

my $oid_sysDescr        = ".1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1";
my $aix_swap_pool       = ".1.3.6.1.4.1.2.6.191.2.4.2.1";

my $results = $self->{snmp}->get_multiple_table(oids => [
                                                      { oid => $aix_swap_pool, start => 1 },
                                                      { oid => $oid_sysDescr },
                                                ]);

use Data::Dumper;
print Dumper($results);

get_hostname

Description

Get hostname parameter (useful to get hostname in mode).

Parameters

None.

Example

This is an example of how to get hostname parameter:

my $hostname = $self->{snmp}->get_hostname();

get_port

Description

Get port parameter (useful to get port in mode).

Parameters

None.

Example

This is an example of how to get port parameter:

my $port = $self->{snmp}->get_port();

oid_lex_sort

Description

Return sorted OIDs.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

-

String array

Array of OIDs to sort.

Example

This example prints sorted OIDs:

foreach my $oid ($self->{snmp}->oid_lex_sort(keys %{$self->{results}->{$my_oid}})) {
  print $oid;
}

Misc

This library provides a set of miscellaneous methods. To use it, you can directly use the path of the method:

centreon::plugins::misc::<my_method>;

trim

Description

Strip whitespace from the beginning and end of a string.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

-

String

String to strip.

Example

This is an example of how to use trim method:

my $word = '  Hello world !  ';
my $trim_word =  centreon::plugins::misc::trim($word);

print $word."\n";
print $trim_word."\n";

Output displays :

Hello world !

change_seconds

Description

Convert seconds to human readable text.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

-

Int

Number of seconds to convert.

Example

This is an example of how to use change_seconds method:

my $seconds = 3750;
my $human_readable_time =  centreon::plugins::misc::change_seconds($seconds);

print 'Human readable time : '.$human_readable_time."\n";

Output displays:

Human readable time : 1h 2m 30s

backtick

Description

Execute system command.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

command

String

Command to execute.

arguments

String array

Command arguments.

timeout

Int

30

Command timeout.

wait_exit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Command process ignore SIGCHLD signals.

redirect_stderr

Int (0 or 1)

0

Print errors in output.

Example

This is an example of how to use backtick method:

my ($error, $stdout, $exit_code) = centreon::plugins::misc::backtick(
                                    command => 'ls /home',
                                    timeout => 5,
                                    wait_exit => 1
                                    );

print $stdout."\n";

Output displays files in ‘/home’ directory.

execute

Description

Execute command remotely.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

output

Object

Plugin output ($self->{output}).

options

Object

Plugin options ($self->{option_results}) to get remote options.

sudo

String

Use sudo command.

command

String

Command to execute.

command_path

String

Command path.

command_options

String

Command arguments.

Example

This is an example of how to use execute method. We suppose --remote option is enabled:

my $stdout = centreon::plugins::misc::execute(output => $self->{output},
                                              options => $self->{option_results},
                                              sudo => 1,
                                              command => 'ls /home',
                                              command_path => '/bin/',
                                              command_options => '-l');

Output displays files in /home using ssh on a remote host.

windows_execute

Description

Execute command on Windows.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

output

Object

Plugin output ($self->{output}).

command

String

Command to execute.

command_path

String

Command path.

command_options

String

Command arguments.

timeout

Int

Command timeout.

no_quit

Int

Don’t quit even if an error occured.

Example

This is an example of how to use windows_execute method.

my $stdout = centreon::plugins::misc::windows_execute(output => $self->{output},
                                                      timeout => 10,
                                                      command => 'ipconfig',
                                                      command_path => '',
                                                      command_options => '/all');

Output displays IP configuration on a Windows host.

Statefile

This library provides a set of methods to use a cache file. To use it, add the following line at the beginning of your mode:

use centreon::plugins::statefile;

read

Description

Read cache file.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

statefile

String

Name of the cache file.

statefile_dir

String

Directory of the cache file.

memcached

String

Memcached server to use.

Example

This is an example of how to use read method:

$self->{statefile_value} = centreon::plugins::statefile->new(%options);
$self->{statefile_value}->check_options(%options);
$self->{statefile_value}->read(statefile => 'my_cache_file',
                               statefile_dir => '/var/lib/centreon/centplugins'
                              );

use Data::Dumper;
print Dumper($self->{statefile_value});

Output displays cache file and its parameters.

get

Description

Get data from cache file.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

name

String

Get a value from cache file.

Example

This is an example of how to use get method:

$self->{statefile_value} = centreon::plugins::statefile->new(%options);
$self->{statefile_value}->check_options(%options);
$self->{statefile_value}->read(statefile => 'my_cache_file',
                               statefile_dir => '/var/lib/centreon/centplugins'
                              );

my $value = $self->{statefile_value}->get(name => 'property1');
print $value."\n";

Output displays value for ‘property1’ of the cache file.

write

Description

Write data to cache file.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

data

String

Data to write in cache file.

Example

This is an example of how to use write method:

$self->{statefile_value} = centreon::plugins::statefile->new(%options);
$self->{statefile_value}->check_options(%options);
$self->{statefile_value}->read(statefile => 'my_cache_file',
                               statefile_dir => '/var/lib/centreon/centplugins'
                              );

my $new_datas = {};
$new_datas->{last_timestamp} = time();
$self->{statefile_value}->write(data => $new_datas);

Then, you can read the result in ‘/var/lib/centreon/centplugins/my_cache_file’, timestamp is written in it.

HTTP

This library provides a set of methodss to use HTTP protocol. To use it, add the following line at the beginning of your mode:

use centreon::plugins::http;

Some options must be set in plugin.pm:

Option

Type

Description

hostname

String

IP Addr/FQDN of the webserver host.

port

String

HTTP port.

proto

String

Used protocol (‘http’ or ‘https’).

credentials

Use credentials.

ntlm

Use NTLM authentication (if --credentials is used).

username

String

Username (if --credentials is used).

password

String

User password (if --credentials is used).

proxyurl

String

Proxy to use.

url_path

String

URL to connect (start to ‘/’).

connect

Description

Test a connection to an HTTP url. Return content of the webpage.

Parameters

This method use plugin options previously defined.

Example

This is an example of how to use connect method. We suppose these options are defined : * –hostname = ‘google.com’ * –urlpath = ‘/’ * –proto = ‘http’ * –port = 80

$self->{http} = centreon::plugins::http->new(output => $self->{output}, options => $self->{options});
$self->{http}->set_options(%{$self->{option_results}});
my $webcontent = $self->{http}->request();
print $webcontent;

Output displays content of the webpage ‘http://google.com/’.

DBI

This library allows you to connect to databases. To use it, add the following line at the beginning of your plugin.pm:

use base qw(centreon::plugins::script_sql);

connect

Description

Connect to databases.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

dontquit

Int (0 or 1)

0

Don’t quit even if errors occured.

Example

This is an example of how to use connect method. The format of the connection string can have the following forms:

DriverName:database_name
DriverName:database_name@hostname:port
DriverName:database=database_name;host=hostname;port=port

In plugin.pm:

$self->{sqldefault}->{dbi} = ();
$self->{sqldefault}->{dbi} = { data_source => 'mysql:host=127.0.0.1;port=3306' };

In your mode:

$self->{sql} = $options{sql};
my ($exit, $msg_error) = $self->{sql}->connect(dontquit => 1);

Then, you are connected to the MySQL database.

query

Description

Send query to database.

Parameters

Parameter

Type

Default

Description

query

String

SQL query to send.

Example

This is an example of how to use query method:

$self->{sql}->query(query => q{SHOW /*!50000 global */ STATUS LIKE 'Slow_queries'});
my ($name, $result) = $self->{sql}->fetchrow_array();

print 'Name : '.$name."\n";
print 'Value : '.$value."\n";

Output displays count of MySQL slow queries.

fetchrow_array

Description

Return Array from sql query.

Parameters

None.

Example

This is an example of how to use fetchrow_array method:

$self->{sql}->query(query => q{SHOW /*!50000 global */ STATUS LIKE 'Uptime'});
my ($dummy, $result) = $self->{sql}->fetchrow_array();

print 'Uptime : '.$result."\n";

Output displays MySQL uptime.

fetchall_arrayref

Description

Return Array from SQL query.

Parameters

None.

Example

This is an example of how to use fetchrow_array method:

$self->{sql}->query(query => q{
      SELECT SUM(DECODE(name, 'physical reads', value, 0)),
          SUM(DECODE(name, 'physical reads direct', value, 0)),
          SUM(DECODE(name, 'physical reads direct (lob)', value, 0)),
          SUM(DECODE(name, 'session logical reads', value, 0))
      FROM sys.v_$sysstat
});
my $result = $self->{sql}->fetchall_arrayref();

my $physical_reads = @$result[0]->[0];
my $physical_reads_direct = @$result[0]->[1];
my $physical_reads_direct_lob = @$result[0]->[2];
my $session_logical_reads = @$result[0]->[3];

print $physical_reads."\n";

Output displays physical reads on Oracle database.

fetchrow_hashref

Description

Return Hash table from SQL query.

Parameters

None.

Example

This is an example of how to use fetchrow_hashref method:

$self->{sql}->query(query => q{
  SELECT datname FROM pg_database
});

while ((my $row = $self->{sql}->fetchrow_hashref())) {
  print $row->{datname}."\n";
}

Output displays Postgres databases.

Output displays Postgres databases.

Complete examples

Simple SNMP request

Description

This example explains how to check a single SNMP value on a PfSense firewall (memory dropped packets).
We use cache file because it’s a SNMP counter. So we need to get the value between 2 checks.
We get the value and compare it to warning and critical thresholds.

Plugin file

First, create the plugin directory and the plugin file:

$ mkdir -p apps/pfsense/snmp
$ touch apps/pfsense/snmp/plugin.pm

Tip

PfSense is a firewall application and we check it using SNMP protocol

Then, edit plugin.pm and add the following lines:

#
# Copyright 2018 Centreon (http://www.centreon.com/)
#
# Centreon is a full-fledged industry-strength solution that meets
# the needs in IT infrastructure and application monitoring for
# service performance.
#
# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
# You may obtain a copy of the License at
#
#       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
#
# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
# limitations under the License.
#

# Path to the plugin
package apps::pfsense::snmp::plugin;

# Needed libraries
use strict;
use warnings;
# Use this library to check using SNMP protocol
use base qw(centreon::plugins::script_snmp);

Tip

Don’t forget to edit ‘Authors’ line.

Add new method to instantiate the plugin:

sub new {
  my ($class, %options) = @_;
  my $self = $class->SUPER::new(package => __PACKAGE__, %options);
  bless $self, $class;
  # $options->{options} = options object

  # Plugin version
  $self->{version} = '0.1';

  # Modes association
  %{$self->{modes}} = (
                       # Mode name => path to the mode
                       'memory-dropped-packets'   => 'apps::pfsense::snmp::mode::memorydroppedpackets',
                       );

  return $self;
}

Declare this plugin as a perl module:

1;

Add a description to the plugin:

__END__

=head1 PLUGIN DESCRIPTION

Check pfSense in SNMP.

=cut

Tip

This description is printed with ‘–help’ option.

Mode file

Then, create the mode directory and the mode file:

$ mkdir apps/pfsense/snmp/mode
$ touch apps/pfsense/snmp/mode/memorydroppedpackets.pm

Edit memorydroppedpackets.pm and add the following lines:

#
# Copyright 2018 Centreon (http://www.centreon.com/)
#
# Centreon is a full-fledged industry-strength solution that meets
# the needs in IT infrastructure and application monitoring for
# service performance.
#
# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
# You may obtain a copy of the License at
#
#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
#
# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
# limitations under the License.
#

# Path to the plugin
package apps::pfsense::snmp::mode::memorydroppedpackets;

# Needed library for modes
use base qw(centreon::plugins::mode);

# Needed libraries
use strict;
use warnings;

# Custom library
use POSIX;

# Needed library to use cache file
use centreon::plugins::statefile;

Add new method to instantiate the mode:

sub new {
  my ($class, %options) = @_;
  my $self = $class->SUPER::new(package => __PACKAGE__, %options);
  bless $self, $class;

  # Mode version
  $self->{version} = '1.0';

  # Declare options
  $options{options}->add_options(arguments =>
                              {
                                # option name        => variable name
                                "warning:s"          => { name => 'warning', },
                                "critical:s"         => { name => 'critical', },
                              });

  # Instantiate cache file
  $self->{statefile_value} = centreon::plugins::statefile->new(%options);
  return $self;
}

Tip

A default value can be added to options. Example : “warning:s” => { name => ‘warning’, default => ‘80’},

Add check_options method to validate options:

sub check_options {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;
  $self->SUPER::init(%options);

  # Validate threshold options with threshold_validate method
  if (($self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'warning', value => $self->{option_results}->{warning})) == 0) {
     $self->{output}->add_option_msg(short_msg => "Wrong warning threshold '" . $self->{option_results}->{warning} . "'.");
     $self->{output}->option_exit();
  }
  if (($self->{perfdata}->threshold_validate(label => 'critical', value => $self->{option_results}->{critical})) == 0) {
     $self->{output}->add_option_msg(short_msg => "Wrong critical threshold '" . $self->{option_results}->{critical} . "'.");
     $self->{output}->option_exit();
  }

  # Validate cache file options using check_options method of statefile library
  $self->{statefile_value}->check_options(%options);
}

Add run method to execute mode:

sub run {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;
  # $options{snmp} = snmp object

  # Get SNMP options
  $self->{snmp} = $options{snmp};
  $self->{hostname} = $self->{snmp}->get_hostname();
  $self->{snmp_port} = $self->{snmp}->get_port();

  # SNMP oid to request
  my $oid_pfsenseMemDropPackets = '.1.3.6.1.4.1.12325.1.200.1.2.6.0';
  my ($result, $value);

  # Get SNMP value for oid previsouly defined
  $result = $self->{snmp}->get_leef(oids => [ $oid_pfsenseMemDropPackets ], nothing_quit => 1);
  # $result is a hash table where keys are oids
  $value = $result->{$oid_pfsenseMemDropPackets};

  # Read the cache file
  $self->{statefile_value}->read(statefile => 'pfsense_' . $self->{hostname}  . '_' . $self->{snmp_port} . '_' . $self->{mode});
  # Get cache file values
  my $old_timestamp = $self->{statefile_value}->get(name => 'last_timestamp');
  my $old_memDropPackets = $self->{statefile_value}->get(name => 'memDropPackets');

  # Create a hash table with new values that will be write to cache file
  my $new_datas = {};
  $new_datas->{last_timestamp} = time();
  $new_datas->{memDropPackets} = $value;

  # Write new values to cache file
  $self->{statefile_value}->write(data => $new_datas);

  # If cache file didn't have any values, create it and wait another check to calculate value
  if (!defined($old_timestamp) || !defined($old_memDropPackets)) {
      $self->{output}->output_add(severity => 'OK',
                                  short_msg => "Buffer creation...");
      $self->{output}->display();
      $self->{output}->exit();
  }

  # Fix when PfSense reboot (snmp counters initialize to 0)
  $old_memDropPackets = 0 if ($old_memDropPackets > $new_datas->{memDropPackets});

  # Calculate time between 2 checks
  my $delta_time = $new_datas->{last_timestamp} - $old_timestamp;
  $delta_time = 1 if ($delta_time == 0);

  # Calculate value per second
  my $memDropPacketsPerSec = ($new_datas->{memDropPackets} - $old_memDropPackets) / $delta_time;

  # Calculate exit code by comparing value to thresholds
  # Exit code can be : 'OK', 'WARNING', 'CRITICAL', 'UNKNOWN'
  my $exit_code = $self->{perfdata}->threshold_check(value => $memDropPacketsPerSec,
                                                     threshold => [ { label => 'critical', 'exit_litteral' => 'critical' }, { label => 'warning', exit_litteral => 'warning' } ]);

  # Add a performance data
  $self->{output}->perfdata_add(label => 'dropped_packets_Per_Sec',
                                value => sprintf("%.2f", $memDropPacketsPerSec),
                                warning => $self->{perfdata}->get_perfdata_for_output(label => 'warning'),
                                critical => $self->{perfdata}->get_perfdata_for_output(label => 'critical'),
                                min => 0);

  # Add output
  $self->{output}->output_add(severity => $exit_code,
                              short_msg => sprintf("Dropped packets due to memory limitations : %.2f /s",
                                  $memDropPacketsPerSec));

  # Display output
  $self->{output}->display();
  $self->{output}->exit();
}

Declare this plugin as a perl module:

1;

Add a description of the mode options:

__END__

=head1 MODE

Check number of packets per second dropped due to memory limitations.

=over 8

=item B<--warning>

Threshold warning for dropped packets in packets per second.

=item B<--critical>

Threshold critical for dropped packets in packets per second.

=back

=cut

Command line

This is an example of command line:

$ perl centreon_plugins.pl --plugin apps::pfsense::snmp::plugin --mode memory-dropped-packets --hostname 192.168.0.1 --snmp-community 'public' --snmp-version '2c' --warning '1' --critical '2'

Output may display:

OK: Dropped packets due to memory limitations : 0.00 /s | dropped_packets_Per_Sec=0.00;0;;1;2

Code Style Guidelines

Introduction

Perl code from Pull-request must conform to the following style guidelines. If you find any code which doesn’t conform, please fix it.

Indentation

Space should be used to indent all code blocks. Tabs should never be used to indent code blocks. Mixing tabs and spaces results in misaligned code blocks for other developers who prefer different indentation settings. Please use 4 for indentation space width.

if ($1 > 1) {
....return 1;
} else {
    if ($i == -1) {
    ....return 0;
    }
    return -1
}

Comments

There should always be at least 1 space between the # character and the beginning of the comment. This makes it a little easier to read multi-line comments:

# Good comment
#Wrong comment

Subroutine & Variable Names

Whenever possible, use underscore to seperator words and don’t use uppercase characters:

sub get_logs {}
my $start_time;

Keys of hash table should be used alphanumeric and underscore characters only (and no quote!):

$dogs->{meapolitan_mastiff} = 10;

Curly Brackets, Parenthesis

There should be a space between every control/loop keyword and the opening parenthesis:

if ($i == 1) {
    ...
}
while ($i == 2) {
    ...
}

If/Else Statements

‘else’, ‘elsif’ should be on the same line after the previous closing curly brace:

if ($i == 1) {
    ...
} else {
    ...
}

You can use single line if conditional:

next if ($i == 1);

Model Classes Usage

Introduction

With the experience of plugin development, we have created two classes:

  • centreon::plugins::templates::counter

  • centreon::plugins::templates::hardware

It was developed to have a more consistent code and less redundant code. According to context, you should use one of two classes for modes. Following classes can be used for whatever plugin type (SNMP, Custom, DBI,…).

Class counter

When to use it ?

If you have some counters (CPU Usage, Memory, Session…), you should use that class. If you have only one global counter to check, it’s maybe not useful to use it (but only for these case).

Class methods

List of methods:

  • new: class constructor. Overload if you need to add some specific options or to use a statefile.

  • check_options: overload if you need to check your specific options.

  • manage_selection: overload if mandatory. Method to get informations for the equipment.

  • set_counters: overload if mandatory. Method to configure counters.

Examples

Example 1

We want to develop the following SNMP plugin:

  • measure the current sessions and current SSL sessions usages.

package my::module::name;

use base qw(centreon::plugins::templates::counter);

use strict;
use warnings;

sub set_counters {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  $self->{maps_counters_type} = [
      { name => 'global', type => 0, message_separator => ' - ' },
  ];
  $self->{maps_counters}->{global} = [
      { label => 'sessions', set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'sessions' } ],
              output_template => 'Current sessions : %s',
              perfdatas => [
                  { label => 'sessions', template => '%s', min => 0 },
              ],
          }
      },
      { label => 'sessions-ssl', set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'sessions_ssl' } ],
              output_template => 'Current ssl sessions : %s',
              perfdatas => [
                  { label => 'sessions_ssl', template => '%s', min => 0 },
              ],
          }
      },
  ];
}

sub manage_selection {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  # OIDs are fake. Only for the example.
  my ($oid_sessions, $oid_sessions_ssl) = ('.1.2.3.4.0', '.1.2.3.5.0');

  my $result = $options{snmp}->get_leef(
    oids => [ $oid_sessions, $oid_sessions_ssl ],
    nothing_quit => 1
  );
  $self->{global} = {
    sessions => $result->{$oid_sessions},
    sessions_ssl => $result->{$oid_sessions_ssl}
  };
}

Output may display:

OK: Current sessions : 24 - Current ssl sessions : 150 | sessions=24;;;0; sessions_ssl=150;;;0;

As you can see, we create two arrays of hash tables in set_counters method. We use arrays to order the output.

  • maps_counters_type: global configuration. Attributes list:

    • name: the name is really important. It will be used in hash map_counters and also in manage_selection as you can see.

    • type: 0 or 1. With 0 value, the output will be written in the short output. With the value 1, it depends if we have one or multiple instances.

    • message_multiple: only useful with type 1 value. The message will be displayed in short ouput if we have multiple instances selected.

    • message_separator: the string displayed between counters (Default: ‘, ‘).

    • cb_prefix_output, cb_suffix_output: name of a method (in a string) to callback. Methods will return a string to be displayed before or after all counters.

    • cb_init: name of a method (in a string) to callback. Method will return 0 or 1. With 1 value, counters are not checked.

  • maps_counters: complex structure to configure counters. Attributes list:

    • label: name used for threshold options.

    • threshold: if we set the value to 0. There is no threshold check options (can be used if you want to set and check option yourself).

    • set: hash table:

      • keys_values: array of hashes. Set values used for the counter. Order is important (by default, the first value is used to check).

        • name: attribute name. Need to match with attributes in manage_selection method!

        • diff: if we set the value to 1, we’ll have the difference between two checks (need a statefile!).

        • per_second: if we set the value to 1, the diff values will be calculated per seconds (need a statefile!). No need to add diff attribute.

      • output_template: string to display. ‘%s’ will be replaced by the first value of keys_values.

      • output_use: which value to be used in output_template (If not set, we use the first value of keys_values).

      • output_change_bytes: if we set the value to 1 or 2, we can use a second ‘%s’ in output_template to display the unit. 1 = divide by 1024 (Bytes), 2 = divide by 1000 (bits).

      • perfdata: array of hashes. To configure perfdatas

        • label: name displayed.

        • value: value to used. It’s the name from keys_values.

        • template: value format (could be for example: ‘%.3f’).

        • unit: unit displayed.

        • min, max: min and max displayed. You can use a value from keys_values.

        • label_extra_instance: if we set the value to 1, perhaps we’ll have a suffix concat with label.

        • instance_use: which value from keys_values to be used. To be used if label_extra_instance is 1.

Example 2

We want to add the current number of sessions by virtual servers.

package my::module::name;

use base qw(centreon::plugins::templates::counter);

use strict;
use warnings;

sub set_counters {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  $self->{maps_counters_type} = [
      { name => 'global', type => 0, cb_prefix_output => 'prefix_global_output' },
      { name => 'vs', type => 1, cb_prefix_output => 'prefix_vs_output', message_multiple => 'All Virtual servers are ok' }
  ];
  $self->{maps_counters}->{global} = [
      { label => 'total-sessions', set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'sessions' } ],
              output_template => 'current sessions : %s',
              perfdatas => [
                  { label => 'total_sessions', template => '%s', min => 0 },
              ],
          }
      },
      { label => 'total-sessions-ssl', set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'sessions_ssl' } ],
              output_template => 'current ssl sessions : %s',
              perfdatas => [
                  { label => 'total_sessions_ssl', template => '%s', min => 0 },
              ],
          }
      },
  ];

  $self->{maps_counters}->{vs} = [
      { label => 'sessions', set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'sessions' }, { name => 'display' } ],
              output_template => 'current sessions : %s',
              perfdatas => [
                  { label => 'sessions', template => '%s',
                    min => 0, label_extra_instance => 1, instance_use => 'display' },
              ],
          }
      },
      { label => 'sessions-ssl', set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'sessions_ssl' }, { name => 'display' } ],
              output_template => 'current ssl sessions : %s',
              perfdatas => [
                  { label => 'sessions_ssl', template => '%s',
                    min => 0, label_extra_instance => 1, instance_use => 'display' },
              ],
          }
      },
  ];
}

sub prefix_vs_output {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  return "Virtual server '" . $options{instance_value}->{display} . "' ";
}

sub prefix_global_output {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  return "Total ";
}

sub manage_selection {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  # OIDs are fake. Only for the example.
  my ($oid_sessions, $oid_sessions_ssl) = ('.1.2.3.4.0', '.1.2.3.5.0');

  my $result = $options{snmp}->get_leef(oids => [ $oid_sessions, $oid_sessions_ssl ],
                                        nothing_quit => 1);
  $self->{global} = { sessions => $result->{$oid_sessions},
                      sessions_ssl => $result->{$oid_sessions_ssl}
                    };
  my $oid_table_vs = '.1.2.3.10';
  my $mapping = {
      vsName        => { oid => '.1.2.3.10.1' },
      vsSessions    => { oid => '.1.2.3.10.2' },
      vsSessionsSsl => { oid => '.1.2.3.10.3' },
  };

  $self->{vs} = {};
  $result = $options{snmp}->get_table(oid => $oid_table_vs,
                                      nothing_quit => 1);
  foreach my $oid (keys %{$result->{ $oid_table_vs }}) {
      next if ($oid !~ /^$mapping->{vsName}->{oid}\.(.*)$/;
      my $instance = $1;
      my $data = $options{snmp}->map_instance(mapping => $mapping, results => $result->{$oid_table_vs}, instance => $instance);

      $self->{vs}->{$instance} = { display => $data->{vsName},
                                   sessions => $data->{vsSessions}, sessions_ssl => $data->{vsSessionsSsl}};
  }
}

If we have at least 2 virtual servers:

OK: Total current sessions : 24, current ssl sessions : 150 - All Virtual servers are ok | total_sessions=24;;;0; total_sessions_ssl=150;;;0; sessions_foo1=11;;;0; sessions_ssl_foo1=70;;;0; sessions_foo2=13;;;0; sessions_ssl_foo2=80;;;0;
Virtual server 'foo1' current sessions : 11, current ssl sessions : 70
Virtual server 'foo2' current sessions : 13, current ssl sessions : 80

Example 3

The model can also be used to check strings (not only counters). So we want to check the status of a virtualserver.

package my::module::name;

use base qw(centreon::plugins::templates::counter);

use strict;
use warnings;

sub set_counters {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  $self->{maps_counters_type} = [
      { name => 'vs', type => 1, cb_prefix_output => 'prefix_vs_output', message_multiple => 'All Virtual server status are ok' }
  ];
  $self->{maps_counters}->{vs} = [
      { label => 'status', threshold => 0, set => {
              key_values => [ { name => 'status' }, { name => 'display' } ],
              closure_custom_calc => $self->can('custom_status_calc'),
              closure_custom_output => $self->can('custom_status_output'),
              closure_custom_perfdata => sub { return 0; },
              closure_custom_threshold_check => $self->can('custom_threshold_output')
          }
      }
  ];
}

sub custom_threshold_output {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;
  my $status = 'ok';

  if ($self->{result_values}->{status} =~ /problem/) {
      $status = 'critical';
  }
  return $status;
}

sub custom_status_output {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  my $msg = sprintf("status is '%s'", $self->{result_values}->{status});
  return $msg;
}

sub custom_status_calc {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  $self->{result_values}->{status} = $options{new_datas}->{$self->{instance} . '_status'};
  $self->{result_values}->{display} = $options{new_datas}->{$self->{instance} . '_display'};
  return 0;
}

sub prefix_vs_output {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  return "Virtual server '" . $options{instance_value}->{display} . "' ";
}

sub check_options {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;
  $self->SUPER::check_options(%options);

}

sub manage_selection {
  my ($self, %options) = @_;

  my $oid_table_vs = '.1.2.3.10';
  my $mapping = {
      vsName        => { oid => '.1.2.3.10.1' },
      vsStatus      => { oid => '.1.2.3.10.4' },
  };

  $self->{vs} = {};
  my $result = $options{snmp}->get_table(oid => $oid_table_vs,
                                      nothing_quit => 1);
  foreach my $oid (keys %{$result->{ $oid_table_vs }}) {
      next if ($oid !~ /^$mapping->{vsName}->{oid}\.(.*)$/;
      my $instance = $1;
      my $data = $options{snmp}->map_instance(mapping => $mapping, results => $result->{$oid_table_vs}, instance => $instance);

      $self->{vs}->{$instance} = { display => $data->{vsName},
                                   status => $data->{vsStatus} };
  }
}

The following example show 4 new attributes:

  • closure_custom_calc: should be used to do more complex calculation.

  • closure_custom_output: should be used to have a more complex output (An example: want to display the total, free and used value at the same time).

  • closure_custom_perfdata: should be used to manage yourself the perfdata.

  • closure_custom_threshold_check: should be used to manage yourself the threshold check.

Class hardware

TODO