> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ciusji.gitbook.io/leona/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ciusji.gitbook.io/leona/getting-in/log-sources/gelf.md).

# GELF

The **GuinsooLab Extended Log Format** (GELF) is a log format that avoids the shortcomings of classic plain `syslog`:

* Limited to length of 1024 bytes. Inadequate space for payloads like backtraces.
* No data types in structured syslog. Numbers and strings are indistinguishable.
* The RFCs are strict enough, but there are so many syslog dialects out there that you cannot possibly parse all of them.
* No compression.

## Sending GELF Messages Via UDP Using Netcat

Sending an example message to a GELF UDP input (running on the host `leona.example.com` on port 12201):

```bash
echo -n '{ "version": "1.1", "host": "example.org", "short_message": "A short message", "level": 5, "_some_info": "foo" }' | nc -w0 -u leona.example.com 12201
```

## Sending GELF Messages Via TCP Using Netcat

Sending an example message to a GELF TCP input (running on the host `leona.example.com` on port 12201):

```bash
echo -n '{ "version": "1.1", "host": "example.org", "short_message": "A short message", "level": 5, "_some_info": "foo" }' | nc -w0 -u leona.example.com 12201
```

## Sending GELF Messages Via Using Curl

Sending an example message to a GELF input (running on the host `leona.example.com` on port 12201):

```bash
curl -X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{ "version": "1.1", "host": "example.org", "short_message": "A short message", "level": 5, "_some_info": "foo" }' 'leona.example.com:12201/gelf'
```