WebSocket Server

The WebSocket Server source is a multithreaded source that listens on a WebSocket endpoint and processes the contents of all authorized WebSocket client requests. For information about supported versions, see Supported systems and versions.

The WebSocket Server source can use multiple threads to enable parallel processing of data from multiple WebSocket clients. The source can also send responses back to the source system when used in a microservice flow.

Before you configure the source, perform additional steps to configure the WebSocket clients.

When you configure the WebSocket Server source, you specify the maximum number of concurrent requests to determine how many threads to use. You define the listening port, application ID, and the maximum message size. You can also configure SSL/TLS properties, including default transport protocols and cipher suites.

When you want the source to send responses back to the source system as part of a microservice flow, you configure the data format and other characteristics of the responses.

Tip: Data Collector provides two WebSocket sources to address different needs. For a quick comparison chart to help you choose the right one, see Comparing WebSocket sources.

When a flow stops, the WebSocket Server source notes where it stops reading. When the flow starts again, the source continues processing from where it stopped by default. You can reset the offset to process all requested data.

Prerequisites

Before you run a flow with the WebSocket Server source, complete the following prerequisites to configure the WebSocket clients.

Send data to the listening port

Configure the WebSocket clients to send data to the WebSocket Server listening port.

When you configure the WebSocket Server source, you define a listening port number where the source listens for data. To pass data to the flow, configure each WebSocket client to send data to a URL that includes the listening port number.

Note: No other flows or processes can already be bound to the listening port. The listening port can be used only by a single flow.
Use the following format for the URL:
<ws | wss>://<sdc_hostname>:<listening_port>/

The URL includes the following components:

  • <ws | wss> - Use wss for secure WebSocket connections over HTTPS.
  • <sdc_hostname> - The Data Collector host name.
  • <listening_port> - The port number where the source listens for data.

For example: wss://localhost:8080/

Include the application ID in requests

Configure the WebSocket clients to include the WebSocket Server application ID in each request.

When you configure the WebSocket Server source, you define an application ID that is used to pass requests to the source. All messages sent to the source must include the application ID.

Include the application ID for each client request in one of the following ways:

In request headers
Add the following information to the request header for all WebSocket requests that you want the source to process:
X-SDC-APPLICATION-ID: <application_ID>
For example:
X-SDC-APPLICATION-ID: sdc_http2kafka
In a query parameter in the URL
If you cannot configure the client request headers - for example if the requests are generated by another system - then configure each WebSocket client to send data to a URL that includes the application ID in a query parameter.
To include the application ID in a query parameter, enable the Application ID in URL property when you configure the source. Then, include the application ID in a URL query parameter.
Use the following format for the URL:
<ws | wss>://<sdc_hostname>:<listening_port>/?sdcApplicationId=<application_ID>
The URL includes the following components:
  • <ws | wss> - Use wss for secure WebSocket connections over HTTPS.
  • <sdc_hostname> - The Data Collector host name.
  • <listening_port> - The port number where the source listens for data.
  • <application_ID> - The application ID defined for the WebSocket Server source.
For example: wss://localhost:8080/?sdcApplicationId=sdc_http2kafka

Multithreaded processing

The WebSocket Server source performs parallel processing and enables the creation of a multithreaded flow.

The WebSocket Server source uses multiple concurrent threads based on the Max Concurrent Requests property. Each thread connects to the source system, creates a batch of data, and passes the batch to an available flow runner.

A flow runner is a sourceless flow instance - an instance of the flow that includes all of the processors, executors, and targets in the flow and handles all flow processing after the source. Each flow runner processes one batch at a time, just like a flow that runs on a single thread. When the flow of data slows, the flow runners wait idly until they are needed, generating an empty batch at regular intervals. You can configure the Runner Idle Time flow property to specify the interval or to opt out of empty batch generation.

Multithreaded flows preserve the order of records within each batch, just like a single-threaded flow. But since batches are processed by different flow runners, the order that batches are written to targets is not ensured.

For example, say you set the Max Concurrent Requests property to 5. When you start the flow, the source creates five threads, and Data Collector creates a matching number of flow runners. Upon receiving data, the source passes a batch to each of the flow runners for processing. In the batch, WebSocket Server includes only the WebSocket requests with the specified application ID.

At any given moment, the five flow runners can each process a batch, so this multithreaded flow processes up to five batches at a time. When incoming data slows, the flow runners sit idle, available for use as soon as the data flow increases.

For more information about multithreaded flows, see Multithreaded flow overview.

Generated microservice responses

In a microservice flow, the WebSocket Server source can send a response back to the originating WebSocket client.

The generated response contains:
  • Records received from microservice targets
  • Flow error records received when the flow is configured to use the Send Response to Source flow error handling

The source generates a single response for each batch of records received. The source can generate the response in JSON or XML format. The response can include an envelope or only raw data.

Responses with an envelope

When configured to send a response with an envelope, the source generates a response that includes the status code, data from microservice targets, error records from the flow, and the first error message. The generated response includes the following JSON keys or XML elements:
Response Key or Element Value
httpStatusCode The status code associated with the records in the response.

If the records in the generated response share the same status code, the code is written to the httpStatusCode key or element. If the records have different status codes, the httpStatusCode is set to 207 for multiple statuses.

data A list of records passed to the source by the microservice targets used in the flow.
error A list of flow error records passed to the source by the Send Response to Source flow error handling.
errorMessage The error message associated with the first error record in the response.

Used only when the response includes error records.

For example, in JSON format, generated responses with envelopes have the following structure:
{
"httpStatusCode":<status code>,
"data":[<list of success records>],
"error":[<list of error records>],
"errorMessage": <error message, if any>
}

Raw responses

When configured to send a raw response, the source generates a response that contains either the list of records passed from the microservice targets or the list of error records passed by the Send Response to Source flow error handling. If the source receives data records from targets and error records from the flow, then the source includes only the error records in the response. If the source receives no data records from targets and no error records from the flow, then the source generates an empty response.

Sample responses

The following samples in JSON format show responses with an envelope and raw responses without an envelope when the source receives single records and multiple records:
Single record
The source receives a single record from the Send Response to Source target. The target is configured to use the 200 status code.
For a response with an envelope, the source sends the following response:
{
"httpStatusCode":200,
"data":[{"ID":"103","NAME":"Jack","AGE":"37","STATE":"MD"}],
"error":[],
"errorMessage":null
}
For a raw response, the source sends the following response:
{"ID":"103","NAME":"Jack","AGE":"37","STATE":"MD"}
Multiple data and error records
The source receives several records, data and error. Because each record has a different status code, the response uses status code 207 for multiple statuses. The errorMessage key includes the error associated with the first record which has a missing ID. The source is configured to present multiple records as multiple JSON objects.
For a response with an envelope, the source sends the following response:
{
"httpStatusCode":207,
"data":[{"ID":"248","NAME":"Pina","AGE":"24","STATE":"RI"}],
"error":[{"NAME":"Liz","AGE":"37","STATE":"DE"}, {"ID":"302","NAME":"Roco","AGE":"","STATE":"CA"}],
"errorMessage":"COMMON_0001 - Stage precondition: CONTAINER_0051 - Unsatisfied precondition(s) '${record:exists('/ID')}'"
}
For a raw response, the source sends the following response:
{"NAME":"Liz","AGE":"37","STATE":"DE"}, {"ID":"302","NAME":"Roco","AGE":"","STATE":"CA"}

Data formats

The WebSocket Server source processes data differently based on the data format that you select.

The WebSocket Server source processes data formats as follows:

Binary
Generates a record with a single byte array field at the root of the record.
When the data exceeds the user-defined maximum data size, the source cannot process the data. Because the record is not created, the source cannot pass the record to the flow to be written as an error record. Instead, the source generates a stage error.
Datagram
Generates a record for every message. The source can process collectd messages, NetFlow 5 and NetFlow 9 messages, and the following types of syslog messages:
  • RFC 5424
  • RFC 3164
  • Non-standard common messages, such as RFC 3339 dates with no version digit
When processing NetFlow messages, the stage generates different records based on the NetFlow version. When processing NetFlow 9, the records are generated based on the NetFlow 9 configuration properties. For more information, see NetFlow data processing.
Delimited
Generates a record for each delimited line.
The CSV parser that you choose determines the delimiter properties that you configure and how the stage handles parsing errors. You can specify if the data includes a header line and whether to use it. You can define the number of lines to skip before reading, the character set of the data, and the root field type to use for the generated record.
You can also configure the stage to replace a string constant with null values and to ignore control characters.
For more information about reading delimited data, see Reading delimited data.
JSON
Generates a record for each JSON object. You can process JSON files that include multiple JSON objects or a single JSON array.
When an object exceeds the maximum object length defined for the source, the source processes the object based on the error handling configured for the stage.
Log
Generates a record for every log line.
When a line exceeds the user-defined maximum line length, the source truncates longer lines.
You can include the processed log line as a field in the record. If the log line is truncated, and you request the log line in the record, the source includes the truncated line.
You can define the log format or type to be read.
Protobuf
Generates a record for every protobuf message. By default, the source assumes messages contain multiple protobuf messages.
Protobuf messages must match the specified message type and be described in the descriptor file.
When the data for a record exceeds 1 MB, the source cannot continue processing data in the message. The source handles the message based on the stage error handling property and continues reading the next message.
For information about generating the descriptor file, see Protobuf data format prerequisites.
SDC Record
Generates a record for every record. Use to process records generated by a Data Collector flow using the SDC Record data format.
For error records, the source provides the original record as read from the source in the original flow, as well as error information that you can use to correct the record.
When processing error records, the source expects the error file names and contents as generated by the original flow.
Text
Generates a record for each line of text or for each section of text based on a custom delimiter.
When a line or section exceeds the maximum line length defined for the source, the source truncates it. The source adds a boolean field named Truncated to indicate if the line was truncated.
For more information about processing text with a custom delimiter, see Text data format with custom delimiters.
XML
Generates records based on a user-defined delimiter element. Use an XML element directly under the root element or define a simplified XPath expression. If you do not define a delimiter element, the source treats the XML file as a single record.
Generated records include XML attributes and namespace declarations as fields in the record by default. You can configure the stage to include them in the record as field attributes.
You can include XPath information for each parsed XML element and XML attribute in field attributes. This also places each namespace in an xmlns record header attribute.
When a record exceeds the user-defined maximum record length, the source skips the record and continues processing with the next record. It sends the skipped record to the flow for error handling.
Use the XML data format to process valid XML documents. For more information about XML processing, see Reading and processing XML data.
Tip: If you want to process invalid XML documents, you can try using the text data format with custom delimiters. For more information, see Processing XML data with custom delimiters.

Configuring a WebSocket Server source

About this task

Configure a WebSocket Server source to generate multiple threads for parallel processing of WebSocket client requests.

Procedure

  1. In the Properties panel, on the General tab, configure the following properties:
    General Property Description
    Name Stage name.
    Description Optional description.
    On Record Error Error record handling for the stage:
    • Discard - Discards the record.
    • Send to Error - Sends the record to the flow for error handling.
    • Stop Flow - Stops the flow.
  2. On the WebSocket tab, configure the following properties:
    WebSocket Property Description
    WebSocket Listening Port Listening port for the WebSocket Server source. The port number must be included in the URL that the WebSocket client uses to pass data.
    Note: No other flows or processes can already be bound to the listening port. The listening port can be used only by a single flow.

    For more information, see Prerequisites.

    Application ID Application ID used to pass requests to the WebSocket Server source. The application ID must be included in the header of the WebSocket request or in a query parameter of the URL that the WebSocket client uses to pass data.

    For more information, see Prerequisites.

    Application ID in URL Enables reading the application ID from the URL. Use when WebSocket clients include the application ID in the URL query parameter instead of in the request header.

    For more information, see Prerequisites.

    Max Concurrent Requests Maximum number of WebSocket clients allowed to send messages to the source at one time.

    If the source reaches the configured maximum and receives additional requests from different clients, it processes those requests as slots become available.

    This property also determines how many threads the source generates and uses for multithreaded processing. For more information, see Multithreaded processing.

    Max Request Size (MB) Maximum size of the request body that the source can process.
    Idle Timeout (ms) Maximum time in milliseconds to allow a WebSocket client connection to the WebSocket Server source to remain idle. After no messages are sent to the source for this amount of time, the connection is closed. The WebSocket client must reconnect to the WebSocket Server source.

    Default is 20,000 milliseconds.

  3. To use SSL/TLS, click the TLS tab and configure the following properties:
    TLS Property Description
    Use TLS Enables the use of TLS.
    Use Remote Keystore Enables loading the contents of the keystore from a remote credential store or from values entered in the stage properties. For more information, see Remote keystore and truststore.
    Private Key Private key used in the remote keystore. Enter a credential function that returns the key or enter the contents of the key.
    Certificate Chain Each PEM certificate used in the remote keystore. Enter a credential function that returns the certificate or enter the contents of the certificate.
    Keystore File

    Path to the local keystore file. Enter an absolute path to the file or enter the following expression to define the file stored in the Data Collector resources directory:

    ${runtime:resourcesDirPath()}/keystore.jks

    By default, no keystore is used.

    Keystore Type Type of keystore to use. Use one of the following types:
    • Java Keystore File (JKS)
    • PKCS #12 (p12 file)

    Default is Java Keystore File (JKS).

    Keystore Password

    Password to the keystore file. A password is optional, but recommended.

    Tip: To secure sensitive information such as passwords, you can use runtime resources or credential stores.
    Keystore Key Algorithm

    Algorithm to manage the keystore.

    Default is SunX509.

    Use Default Protocols Uses the default TLSv1.2 transport layer security (TLS) protocol. To use a different protocol, clear this option.
    Transport Protocols TLS protocols to use. To use a protocol other than the default TLSv1.2, click the Add icon and enter the protocol name. You can use simple or bulk edit mode to add protocols.
    Note: Older protocols are not as secure as TLSv1.2.
    Use Default Cipher Suites Uses a default cipher suite for the SSL/TLS handshake. To use a different cipher suite, clear this option.
    Cipher Suites Cipher suites to use. To use a cipher suite that is not a part of the default set, click the Add icon and enter the name of the cipher suite. You can use simple or bulk edit mode to add cipher suites.

    Enter the Java Secure Socket Extension (JSSE) name for the additional cipher suites that you want to use.

  4. On the Data Format tab, configure the following property:
    Data Format Property Description
    Data Format Type of data to be processed.

    Use one of the following data formats:

    • Binary
    • Datagram
    • Delimited
    • JSON
    • Log
    • Protobuf
    • SDC Record
    • Text
    • XML
  5. For binary data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Binary Property Description
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

    Max Data Size (bytes) Maximum number of bytes in the message. Larger messages cannot be processed or written to error.
  6. For datagram data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Datagram Properties Description
    Datagram Packet Format Packet format of the data:
    • collectd
    • NetFlow
    • syslog
    • Raw/separated data
    TypesDB File Path Path to a user-provided types.db file. Overrides the default types.db file.

    For collectd data only.

    Auth File Path to an optional authentication file. Use an authentication file to accept signed and encrypted data.

    For collectd data only.

    Convert Hi-Res Time & Interval Converts the collectd high resolution time format interval and timestamp to UNIX time, in milliseconds.

    For collectd data only.

    Exclude Interval Excludes the interval field from output record.

    For collectd data only.

    Record Generation Mode Determines the type of values to include in the record. Select one of the following options:
    • Raw Only
    • Interpreted Only
    • Both Raw and Interpreted

    For NetFlow 9 data only.

    Max Templates in Cache The maximum number of templates to store in the template cache. For more information about templates, see Caching NetFlow 9 templates.

    Default is -1 for an unlimited cache size.

    For NetFlow 9 data only.

    Template Cache Timeout (ms) The maximum number of milliseconds to cache an idle template. Templates unused for more than the specified time are evicted from the cache. For more information about templates, see Caching NetFlow 9 templates.

    Default is -1 for caching templates indefinitely.

    For NetFlow 9 data only.

    Charset Character encoding of the messages to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  7. For delimited data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Delimited Property Description
    Header Line Indicates whether a file contains a header line, and whether to use the header line.
    Delimiter Format Type Delimiter format type. Use one of the following options:
    • Default CSV - File that includes comma-separated values. Ignores empty lines in the file.
    • RFC4180 CSV - Comma-separated file that strictly follows RFC4180 guidelines.
    • MS Excel CSV - Microsoft Excel comma-separated file.
    • MySQL CSV - MySQL comma-separated file.
    • Tab-Separated Values - File that includes tab-separated values.
    • PostgreSQL CSV - PostgreSQL comma-separated file.
    • PostgreSQL Text - PostgreSQL text file.
    • Custom - File that uses user-defined delimiter, escape, and quote characters.
    • Multi Character Delimited - File that uses multiple user-defined characters to delimit fields and lines, and single user-defined escape and quote characters.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser type.

    Multi Character Field Delimiter Characters that delimit fields.

    Default is two pipe characters (||).

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the multi-character delimiter format.

    Multi Character Line Delimiter Characters that delimit lines or records.

    Default is the newline character (\n).

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the multi-character delimiter format.

    Delimiter Character Delimiter character. Select one of the available options or use Other to enter a custom character.

    You can enter a Unicode control character using the format \uNNNN, where ​N is a hexadecimal digit from the numbers 0-9 or the letters A-F. For example, enter \u0000 to use the null character as the delimiter or \u2028 to use a line separator as the delimiter.

    Default is the pipe character ( | ).

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with a custom delimiter format.

    Field Separator One or more characters to use as delimiter characters between columns.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Escape Character Escape character.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the custom or multi-character delimiter format. Also available when using the Univocity parser.

    Quote Character Quote character.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the custom or multi-character delimiter format. Also available when using the Univocity parser.

    Line Separator Line separator.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Allow Comments Allows commented data to be ignored for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Comment Character

    Character that marks a comment when comments are enabled for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Enable Comments Allows commented data to be ignored for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser.

    Comment Marker Character that marks a comment when comments are enabled for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser.

    Lines to Skip Number of lines to skip before reading data.
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

    CSV Parser Parser to use to process delimited data:
    • Apache Commons - Provides robust parsing and a wide range of delimited format types.
    • Univocity - Can provide faster processing for wide delimited files, such as those with over 200 columns.

    Default is Apache Commons.

    Max Columns Maximum number of columns to process per record.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Max Character per Column Maximum number of characters to process in each column.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Skip Empty Lines Allows skipping empty lines.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.

    Allow Extra Columns Allows processing records with more columns than exist in the header line.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser to process data with a header line.

    Extra Column Prefix Prefix to use for any additional columns. Extra columns are named using the prefix and sequential increasing integers as follows: <prefix><integer>.

    For example, _extra_1. Default is _extra_.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser to process data with a header line while allowing extra columns.

    Max Record Length (chars) Maximum length of a record in characters. Longer records are not read.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum record size.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser.

    Ignore Empty Lines Allows empty lines to be ignored.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the custom delimiter format.

    Root Field Type Root field type to use:
    • List-Map - Generates an indexed list of data. Enables you to use standard functions to process data. Use for new flows.
    • List - Generates a record with an indexed list with a map for header and value. Requires the use of delimited data functions to process data. Use only to maintain flows created before 1.1.0.
    Parse NULLs Replaces the specified string constant with null values.
    NULL Constant String constant to replace with null values.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  8. For JSON data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    JSON Property Description
    JSON Content Type of JSON content. Use one of the following options:
    • JSON array of objects
    • Multiple JSON objects
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

    Max Object Length (chars) Maximum number of characters in a JSON object.

    Longer objects are diverted to the flow for error handling.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum record size.

    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  9. For log data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Log Property Description
    Log Format Format of the log files. Use one of the following options:
    • Common Log Format
    • Combined Log Format
    • Apache Error Log Format
    • Apache Access Log Custom Format
    • Regular Expression
    • Grok Pattern
    • Log4j
    • Common Event Format (CEF)
    • Log Event Extended Format (LEEF)
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

    Max Line Length Maximum length of a log line. The source truncates longer lines.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum record size.

    Retain Original Line Determines how to treat the original log line. Select to include the original log line as a field in the resulting record.

    By default, the original line is discarded.

    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
    • When you select Apache Access Log Custom Format, use Apache log format strings to define the Custom Log Format.
    • When you select Regular Expression, enter the regular expression that describes the log format, and then map the fields that you want to include to each regular expression group.
    • When you select Grok Pattern, you can use the Grok Pattern Definition field to define custom grok patterns. You can define a pattern on each line.

      In the Grok Pattern field, enter the pattern to use to parse the log. You can use a predefined grok patterns or create a custom grok pattern using patterns defined in Grok Pattern Definition.

      For more information about defining grok patterns and supported grok patterns, see Defining grok patterns.

    • When you select Log4j, define the following properties:
      Log4j Property Description
      On Parse Error Determines how to handle information that cannot be parsed:
      • Skip and Log Error - Skips reading the line and logs a stage error.
      • Skip, No Error - Skips reading the line and does not log an error.
      • Include as Stack Trace - Includes information that cannot be parsed as a stack trace to the previously-read log line. The information is added to the message field for the last valid log line.
      Use Custom Log Format Allows you to define a custom log format.
      Custom Log4J Format Use log4j variables to define a custom log format.
  10. For protobuf data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Protobuf Property Description
    Protobuf Descriptor File Descriptor file (.desc) to use. The descriptor file must be in the Data Collector resources directory, $SDC_RESOURCES.

    For information about generating the descriptor file, see Protobuf data format prerequisites.

    Message Type The fully-qualified name for the message type to use when reading data.

    Use the following format: <package name>.<message type>.

    Use a message type defined in the descriptor file.
    Delimited Messages Indicates if a message might include more than one protobuf message.
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

  11. For SDC Record data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    SDC Record Property Description
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

  12. For text data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Text Property Description
    Max Line Length Maximum number of characters allowed for a line. Longer lines are truncated.

    Adds a boolean field to the record to indicate if it was truncated. The field name is Truncated.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum record size.

    Use Custom Delimiter Uses custom delimiters to define records instead of line breaks.
    Custom Delimiter One or more characters to use to define records.
    Include Custom Delimiter Includes delimiter characters in the record.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  13. For XML data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    XML Property Description
    Delimiter Element
    Delimiter to use to generate records. Omit a delimiter to treat the entire XML document as one record. Use one of the following:
    • An XML element directly under the root element.

      Use the XML element name without surrounding angle brackets ( < > ) . For example, msg instead of <msg>.

    • A simplified XPath expression that specifies the data to use.

      Use a simplified XPath expression to access data deeper in the XML document or data that requires a more complex access method.

      For more information about valid syntax, see Simplified XPath syntax.

    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.

    Preserve Root Element Includes the root element in the generated records.

    When omitting a delimiter to generate a single record, the root element is the root element of the XML document.

    When specifying a delimiter to generate multiple records, the root element is the XML element specified as the delimiter element or is the last XML element in the simplified XPath expression specified as the delimiter element.

    Include Field XPaths Includes the XPath to each parsed XML element and XML attribute in field attributes. Also includes each namespace in an xmlns record header attribute.

    When not selected, this information is not included in the record. By default, the property is not selected.

    Namespaces Namespace prefix and URI to use when parsing the XML document. Define namespaces when the XML element being used includes a namespace prefix or when the XPath expression includes namespaces.

    For information about using namespaces with an XML element, see Using XML elements with namespaces.

    For information about using namespaces with XPath expressions, see Using XPath expressions with namespaces.

    Using simple or bulk edit mode, click the Add icon to add additional namespaces.

    Output Field Attributes Includes XML attributes and namespace declarations in the record as field attributes. When not selected, XML attributes and namespace declarations are included in the record as fields.

    By default, the property is not selected.

    Max Record Length (chars)

    The maximum number of characters in a record. Longer records are diverted to the flow for error handling.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum record size.

    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  14. When using the source in a microservice flow, on the WebSocket Response tab, configure the following properties. In non-microservice flows, these properties are ignored.
    WebSocket Response Property Description
    Send Raw Response Enables the source to send a response without an envelope.
    Data Format Data format of the payload. Select one of the following options:
    • JSON
    • XML
    JSON Content Method used to present multiple records in a JSON response:
    • JSON array of objects
    • Multiple JSON objects

    Available for the JSON data format.

    Charset Character set of the request body in a JSON response. Available for the JSON data format.
    Pretty Format Enables the source to write XML responses with human readable indentation. Available for the XML data format.
    Validate Schema Enables the source to validate XML responses against the provided schema. Available for the XML data format.
    XML Schema Schema that the source uses to validate XML responses. Available when validating schemas for the XML data format.