Usefulness of `httpRequest` object in logs?

[grahamalama]

I've been exploring configuring a custom logging in GKE with a customized `fluentbit` agent (docs). We have a special structured logging format that I'd like to parse to something more Google Cloud Logging friendly. Some of the things I've done so far have included specifying special fields (docs) in the payloads, including `severity` and `message`, which have had obvious results. I've also tried specifying other special fields like `httpRequest`.  While I'm able to set these fields, I'm not really seeing the benefit. If we include the same information in our custom logging format, is there a benefit of specifying `httpRequest` fields?

[Willbin]

Hello @grahamalama,

Welcome to Google Cloud Community!

To answer your question, yes. There are several benefits when it comes to analyzing and understanding your application's HTTP requests and responses. The 'httpRequest' field is part of the LogEntry data structure in Cloud Logging, and it contains detailed information about HTTP requests made to your application.

If you utilize 'httpRequest' fields in your Cloud Logging, it can significantly improve the observability and analysis capabilities of your applications, especially when dealing with web-based services that interact via HTTP.

Here are some that I know:

• Including 'httpRequest' fields in your logs gives you enhanced visibility into the details of each HTTP request, such as the request method (GET, POST, etc.), request URL, response status code, user agent, and more. This information can be invaluable when troubleshooting issues or analyzing the behavior of your application.
• With detailed HTTP request information, you can effectively debug and troubleshoot issues related to your application's HTTP interactions. You can quickly identify malformed requests, failed requests, or abnormal behavior in the application.
• It can be used to analyze the performance of your application by examining response times, request rates, and error rates. This data can help you optimize your application's performance and identify potential bottlenecks.
• Detailed HTTP request logs can aid in monitoring and detecting potential security threats or suspicious activities.

This document might also be helpful for you when using the Logging agent.

Thanks