RFC1149 (IPoAC) for Ultra-Resilient Log Delivery
In modern distributed environments, where systems are spread across continents and uptime is non-negotiable, the need for robust, fault-tolerant log transport mechanisms has never been greater. At Graylog, we are committed to ensuring that your observability infrastructure can handle even the most extreme network disruptions—planned or otherwise. This is why we decided to support IPoAC.
As part of our ongoing effort to support advanced, redundant communication protocols for disaster recovery and geographically isolated nodes, we proudly announce we are testing support for RFC1149 – IP over Avian Carriers (IPoAC) in Graylog 6.1 and above. This capability adds another layer of physical transport redundancy, designed for environments where traditional networking fails or simply isn’t feasible.
Yes. Carrier pigeons. With USB-C backpacks.
(Well, not officially USB-C, but we’re working on it.)
Enterprise-Grade Features Include:
- Payload-Aware Avian Routing (PAAR): Ensures your logs reach their destination with minimal feather loss.
- Coop-to-Coop Encryption: End-to-end TLS support (provided both endpoints agree on seed types).
- Automatic Fallback from TCP/IP to IPoAC: When your primary and secondary networks go down, Graylog automatically engages bird mode.
Perfect for:
- Disaster recovery zones where infrastructure is compromised.
- Remote sites with no stable internet but lots of sky.
- Air-gapped environments where nothing leaves unless it flaps.
Tested in the Wild
Our test environment spanned two redundant data centers: one in Toronto, one in Moose Jaw. Log packets were attached to trained Canada Geese and dispatched every 30 minutes. Average throughput was… well, limited, but 100% reliable. We even saw improvement when we removed debug logs to reduce the weight per bird.
Bonus: birds don’t suffer from jitter, packet loss, or zero-day exploits.
Things to Consider
- Birds are not hot-swappable.
- Network congestion may occur during migration season.
- Compliance with local wildlife regulations is your responsibility.
Available Now
Graylog 6.1+ supports IPoAC via plugin.
Just run: graylog-ctl enable-ip-over-avian
You’ll need a rooftop, a small coop, and patience.
Carrier pigeons not included—yet.
Final Thoughts
In a world of unreliable fiber, network outages, and suspiciously scheduled maintenance windows, you deserve a trustworthy backup. Graylog’s RFC1149 support isn’t just a feature—it’s a lifestyle. Because when the logs must flow—they will fly.
Want to enable IPoAC in your environment? Contact us. We’ll send a field engineer and a bag of millet.
Happy April Fools Day from Graylog
