How to load Basecamp data into Elasticsearch via Logstash



Introducing a simple method to load Basecamp data using the ETL module Logstash of the full-text search service Elasticsearch and the CData JDBC driver.

Elasticsearch is a popular distributed full-text search engine. By centrally storing data, you can perform ultra-fast searches, fine-tuning relevance, and powerful analytics with ease. Elasticsearch has a pipeline tool for loading data called "Logstash". You can use CData JDBC Drivers to easily import data from any data source into Elasticsearch for search and analysis.

This article explains how to use the CData JDBC Driver for Basecamp to load data from Basecamp into Elasticsearch via Logstash.

Using CData JDBC Driver for Basecamp with Elasticsearch Logstash

  • Install the CData JDBC Driver for Basecamp on the machine where Logstash is running.
  • The JDBC Driver will be installed at the following path (the year part, e.g. 20XX, will vary depending on the product version you are using). You will use this path later. Place this .jar file (and the .lic file if it's a licensed version) in Logstash.
    C:\Program Files\CData\CData JDBC Driver for Basecamp 20XX\lib\cdata.jdbc.basecamp.jar
  • Next, install the JDBC Input Plugin, which connects Logstash to the CData JDBC driver. The JDBC Plugin comes by default with the latest version of Logstash, but depending on the version, you may need to add it.
    https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/5.4/plugins-inputs-jdbc.html
  • Move the CData JDBC Driver’s .jar file and .lic file to Logstash's "/logstash-core/lib/jars/".

Sending Basecamp data to Elasticsearch with Logstash

Now, let's create a configuration file for Logstash to transfer Basecamp data to Elasticsearch.

  • Write the process to retrieve Basecamp data in the logstash.conf file, which defines data processing in Logstash. The input will be JDBC, and the output will be Elasticsearch. The data loading job is set to run at 30-second intervals.
  • Set the CData JDBC Driver's .jar file as the JDBC driver library, configure the class name, and set the connection properties to Basecamp in the form of a JDBC URL. The JDBC URL allows detailed configuration, so please refer to the product documentation for more specifics.
  • Basecamp uses basic or OAuth 2.0 authentication. To use basic authentication you will need the user and password that you use for logging in to Basecamp. To authenticate to Basecamp via OAuth 2.0, you will need to obtain the OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL connection properties by registering an app with Basecamp.

    See the Getting Started section in the help documentation for a connection guide.

    Additionally, you will need to specify the AccountId connection property. This can be copied from the URL after you log in.

Executing data movement with Logstash

Now let's run Logstash using the created "logstash.conf" file.

logstash-7.8.0\bin\logstash -f logstash.conf

A log indicating success will appear. This means the Basecamp data has been loaded into Elasticsearch.

For example, let's view the data transferred to Elasticsearch in Kibana.

    GET basecamp_table/_search
    {
        "query": {
            "match_all": {}
        }
    }
Querying the Basecamp data loaded into Elasticsearch

We have confirmed that the data is stored in Elasticsearch.

Confirming the Basecamp data loaded into Elasticsearch

By using the CData JDBC Driver for Basecamp with Logstash, it functions as a Basecamp connector, making it easy to load data into Elasticsearch. Please try the 30-day free trial.

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