Configuring Datadog as a third-party data source

The IBM® NS1 Connect® platform supports two types of integrations with Datadog.

The inbound integration pulls data from Datadog into NS1 Connect where it can be used to inform traffic steering decisions. The outbound integration sends data from the NS1 Connect platform to Datadog for reporting purposes. The instructions below explain the process for configuring the inbound integration.

During the implementation process, you configure a third-partydata source within NS1 Connect to connect with your Datadog account. Then, you create data feeds for each monitor that you want to connect to the corresponding answer(s) in the NS1 Connect DNS records. Finally, you configure a Filter Chain within the relevant DNS records to activate dynamic traffic steering based on the up/down status or other critical metrics collected from the monitored endpoints. If the Datadog monitor detects an endpoint is down, then the up/down metadata for each connected answer is updated, and NS1 Connect avoids serving it to requesting clients.

Step 1 - Create a data source in NS1 Connect

Complete the following instructions to configure a data source and connect Datadog to NS1 Connect.

  1. In the NS1 Connect portal, navigate to the Integrations page.
  2. Click Add a data source.

  3. Click the Datadog logo.
  4. Enter a name for the data source for internal reference. This does not need to match anything configured on the Datadog platform.

  5. Click Save data source.
  6. When prompted to create a data feed, click the X in the top right corner to close the window. You will add the data feeds later.

  7. Navigate back to the Data sources tab and copy the Source ID displayed next to the Datadog data source you just created. You will need this ID to configure the Datadog webhook.

Step 2 - Create a webhook on the Datadog platform

Complete the following instructions to configure a webhook on the Datadog platform to connect to the data source you configured in NS1 Connect.

Note: You will need the unique source ID for the data source you generated in the previous step.
  1. Log into your Datadog account and navigate to the Integrations page.
  2. Search for and install the Webhooks Integration.

  3. In the Webhooks Integration menu, select the Configuration tab.

  4. Scroll down and click New.

  5. Enter a name for the webhook for internal reference.
  6. Under URL, enter https://api.nsone.net/v1/feed/<sourceID>, replacing <sourceID> with the unique ID for the data source you generated in the previous step.
  7. Click Save.

Step 3 - Configure Datadog monitors

Refer to the Datadog documentation for more information and instructions for configuring different types of monitors on the Datadog platform. The integration with the NS1 Connect platform supports the following monitor types:

  • Host
  • Metric
  • Custom Check
  • Event
  • Outlier
Attention: When configuring each monitor, ensure it is configured to enable notifications via the webhook you created in the previous step.
Note: The name of the monitor you set in the Datadog platform must match what you enter when configuring the corresponding data feed in NS1 Connect.

Step 4 - Configure NS1 Connect data feeds for each Datadog monitor

In NS1 Connect, data feeds automate updates from NS1 Connect monitors or third-party data sources to specific metadata fields in the corresponding DNS answers. Complete the following instructions to create a data feed from a Datadog monitor. Once complete, repeat the process for each Datadog monitor you want to connect to NS1 Connect.

  1. In the NS1 Connect portal, navigate to Integrations > Feeds.

  2. Under Add a feed to an existing data source, click the Datadog logo.

  3. Enter a name for the data feed for internal reference. This does not need to match anything on the Datadog platform.
  4. Optionally, check the box next to Fail on "Warning". If enabled, NS1 Connect marks the corresponding DNS answers as down if the Datadog monitor detects the endpoint has entered a warning state. Refer to the Datadog documentation to learn more about monitor statuses.
  5. Optionally, check the box next to Fail on "No Data". If enabled, NS1 Connect marks the corresponding DNS answers as down if the Datadog monitor detects the endpoint has entered a No Data state.
  6. Enter the monitor name exactly as it appears in the Datadog platform.
  7. Click Save feed.
  8. Repeat this process for each Datadog monitor you want to connect to NS1 Connect.

Step 5 - Connect each data feed to the NS1 Connect DNS answers

To configure automatic updates from the Datadog monitors to the DNS answer metadata, you must connect the data feed you created to the corresponding answers within a DNS record. Specifically, you can connect a Datadog feed to the up/down metadata field within the answer(s) corresponding to the monitored endpoint.

Follow the instructions in Connecting a monitor or data source to a DNS answer and repeat the process for each data feed.

Step 6 - Create a Filter Chain

After configuring automatic updates from the Datadog monitors to their corresponding answers, you can create a Filter Chain for the parent DNS record to activate dynamic traffic steering. Use the Up filter to instruct NS1 Connect to eliminate down or unavailable answers when making routing decisions. As the Datadog monitors update the answer metadata, the platform adjusts traffic steering behavior to accommodate changing network conditions.



Refer to Create a Filter Chain or Automatic failover for details.