Uploading usage metrics to IBM Software Central

In an offline or air-gapped environment, the IBM Usage Metering Service cannot connect directly to IBM Software Central.

1. Expose the usage metering service.
   It depends on your cluster environment but the service to expose is ibm-usage-metering-instance. The URL exposed by the service references the next steps as UMS_URL.
2. Download usage data.
   Retrieve the metering data from the service:

   UMS_TOKEN=$(kubectl get secret ibm-usage-metering-upload-token -n "${NAMESPACE}" -o jsonpath='{.data.token}' 2>/dev/null | base64 -d || echo "")
   UMS_URL=<URL FOR THE USAGE METERING SERVICE>
   curl -k --output "swc_payload.tar.gz" \
   --header "Authorization: Bearer ${UMS_TOKEN}" \

   Note: This is a sample. The URL differs depending on the user's specific Kubernetes installation. For more information, see Deploying to a managed Kubernetes service.
3. Verify the downloaded data.
   Extract and inspect the usage data:

   tar xvzf swc_payload.tar.gz

   Expected output:

   x manifest.json
   x usage.json
   

   Extracted output:

   • manifest.json: Metadata about the usage data package
   • usage.json: Actual usage metrics data
     • Product usage statistics (for example, number of pods and resources)
     • Metric collection timestamps and intervals
4. Upload data to Software Central.
   Upload the usage data to Software Central:

   curl -X POST "https://swc.saas.ibm.com/metering/api/v2/metrics" \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer <IEK>" \
        -F "file=@swc_payload.tar.gz;type=application/gzip"

   Parameter:

   • <IEK>: Your Entitlement Key. You obtain it from IBM Container Software Library .
5. Verify upload.
   Verify the usage data in the Software Central portal:

   1. Go to MyIBM Container Software Library .
   2. Check the usage reports section for your uploaded data.

   Tip: Schedule this process regularly (for example, monthly) to ensure compliance reporting is up to date.