---
title: vector — high-performance log and metric pipeline
date: 2026-10-18
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: A high-performance data pipeline open-sourced by Datadog. It collects, transforms, and sends logs and metrics.
tags: program, server log recording and analysis, vector
---

**💬 "vector commands"**

vector is a **high-performance log and metric pipeline** open-sourced by Datadog. It collects, transforms, and ships logs and metrics.

Based on Rust, it is 3 to 10 times faster than Fluentd. It processes logs, metrics, and traces with a single binary.

- **Concept**: Based on Rust, it is 3 to 10 times faster than Fluentd.
- **Key Features**: It processes logs, metrics, and traces with a single binary.
- **Advantages**: Uses simple TOML-based configuration.
- **Usage**: Supports various sources and sinks such as HTTP, Kafka, S3, Elasticsearch, Datadog, etc.
## Installation and Download

vector is installed via package manager or official script.

| Environment | Command |
| --- | --- |
| Official script | curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.vector.dev | sh |
| Ubuntu / Debian | sudo apt install vector |
| RHEL / Fedora | sudo dnf install vector |
| Docker | docker run timberio/vector |
| Verify | vector --version |

Installation verification is done using `vector --version`.

## Commonly Used Options

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| vector --config <file> | Specifies the configuration file |
| vector validate | Validates the configuration |
| vector top | Monitors real-time processing |
| vector list | Lists configured sources and sinks |
| vector generate | Generates a configuration template |

## Three Essential Command Combinations

- `vector validate --config /etc/vector/vector.toml` — Validate configuration
- `vector top` — Monitor real-time throughput and errors
- `vector tap <source>` — Preview source data
**💬 "Show me an example of using vector on a real server"**

Common situations encountered on a server in production are organized in order.

### Step 1 · Installation Check

Check if installed.

```
vector --version || curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.vector.dev | sh
```

### Step 2 · Configuration Validation

Validate the vector.toml configuration.

```
sudo vector validate --config /etc/vector/vector.toml
```

### Step 3 · Monitoring

Monitor real-time processing.

```
sudo vector top
```

## Actual Execution Screen

This is the result after writing and validating the vector.toml configuration.

![vector command execution result](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/vector-demo.png)

Server in production

## In Practice, It Is Used Like This

### 1. nginx Log Collection Configuration

**Situation** — Collect nginx access logs.

```
[sources.nginx]\ntype = "file"\ninclude = ["/var/log/nginx/access.log"]
```

**Result** — The log file is registered as a source.

**Point** — Can simultaneously send to file and Elasticsearch.

### 2. Real-time Monitoring

**Situation** — Monitor throughput.

```
sudo vector top
```

**Result** — 142 events/s are processed from the nginx source.

**Point** — Real-time bottleneck detection is possible.

## Actual Execution Screen

This is the result of monitoring real-time processing using vector top.

![vector command execution result 2](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/vector-demo2.png)

Server in production

## Things to Note

- Vector is still changing rapidly. The configuration format may vary depending on the version.
- VRL is powerful but has a learning curve. Start with simple transformations.
- In high-volume log environments, disk buffer configuration is essential to prevent log loss during transmission delays.

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/logs/vector.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.