Graylog Enterprise

Basic Information

Graylog Enterprise is a centralized log management platform designed for enterprise-level log collection, analysis, and security. It extends the capabilities of Graylog Open with additional features for enhanced log management, analysis, reporting, and support.

• Model: Graylog Enterprise.
• Latest Stable Version: 7.0.0.
• Release Date (Latest Stable Version): November 3, 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Graylog is composed of three components: Graylog, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch/OpenSearch. For evaluation or POC deployments, all components can be installed on one server. For production, separating the Elasticsearch/OpenSearch component onto a separate server is recommended.
• Supported Operating Systems: Debian (12), Ubuntu (22.04, 24.04), RHEL (8, 9), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (15). Official Docker images are also available for `linux/amd64` and `linux/arm64` platforms.
• End of Support Date (for v7.0): November 3, 2027 (Enterprise Support).
• End of Life Date (for v7.0): November 3, 2026 (Release Support).
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly stated, but users are encouraged to upgrade to the most recent supported version for optimal performance and security.
• License Type: Commercial license, with a free tier available for traffic under 5 GB/day.
• Deployment Model: Cloud, on-premises, or hybrid deployments are supported.

Technical Requirements

Graylog Enterprise's architecture relies on Graylog, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch/OpenSearch.

• RAM: Minimum 8 GB RAM.
• Processor: Minimum 4 CPU Cores.
• Storage: SSD Hard Disk Space with High IOPS for Elasticsearch/OpenSearch log storage is recommended.
• Display: Not specified, as it is a server-side application accessed via a web interface.
• Ports: Standard network ports for web access, database communication, and log ingestion.
• Operating System: Supported Linux distributions include Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL (AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, etc.), and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for Graylog Enterprise are scalable, depending on the volume of log data and desired performance. The recommendation for SSD storage with high IOPS for Elasticsearch/OpenSearch highlights the importance of fast I/O for efficient log indexing and searching. The modular architecture allows for distribution of components across multiple servers for production environments, enabling horizontal scaling.

Support & Compatibility

Graylog Enterprise offers comprehensive support and compatibility with various systems.

• Latest Version: 7.0.0.
• OS Support: Debian (12), Ubuntu (22.04, 24.04), RHEL (8, 9), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (15). Docker images are available for `linux/amd64` and `linux/arm64`.
• End of Support Date (for v7.0): November 3, 2027 (Enterprise Support).
• Localization: Not explicitly detailed, but the web interface is generally in English.
• Available Drivers: Graylog integrates with MongoDB and OpenSearch/Elasticsearch, requiring compatible versions of these databases.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Graylog Enterprise maintains strong compatibility with mainstream Linux distributions and offers Docker images for containerized deployments. The defined release lifecycle with clear end-of-support dates helps organizations plan upgrades and ensure continued access to bug fixes and security patches. Compatibility with OpenSearch and MongoDB is crucial, with specific version requirements outlined by Graylog. Enterprise support contracts provide assistance with configuration, installation, and troubleshooting.

Security Status

Graylog Enterprise incorporates security features and addresses vulnerabilities.

• Security Features: Log collection, real-time search, custom alerts for security and compliance, audit logging, data enrichment, correlation, threat detection, incident investigation, anomaly detection, and reporting. It also supports integration with third-party vulnerability scanners to enrich asset risk scores.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Past vulnerabilities include privilege escalation and remote code execution (related to Apache Log4j). Graylog actively patches identified vulnerabilities.
• Blacklist Status: No widespread blacklisting reported.
• Certifications: Not explicitly detailed, but it aids in compliance with audit-ready workflows.
• Encryption Support: Supports TLS for enhanced security measures.
• Authentication Methods: Supports SAML authentication and integrates with LDAP.
• General Recommendations: Regularly update to the latest versions, disable user creation of personal API tokens if not required, and monitor audit logs for suspicious activity.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Graylog Enterprise provides a robust set of security features, including real-time threat detection, audit logging, and vulnerability data integration, making it a valuable tool for SecOps teams. While past vulnerabilities have been identified, Graylog demonstrates a commitment to patching and providing guidance for mitigation. The platform's ability to centralize and analyze logs from diverse sources enhances overall security visibility. However, authentication mechanisms, while present, have been noted by some users as an area for improvement.

Performance & Benchmarks

Graylog Enterprise is designed for speed and scalability in log management.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific standardized benchmark scores are not readily available.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Capable of processing 15–20 TB of logs daily and handling spikes up to 750,000 messages per second in real-world scenarios. It offers faster processing (e.g., from 5s to 2s per log) and stable cluster performance.
• Power Consumption: Not explicitly detailed, but infrastructure costs, particularly related to Elasticsearch, are a consideration for users.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly detailed.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Users often compare Graylog Enterprise with solutions like Wazuh, Dynatrace, Splunk, Elastic Security, Falcon LogScale, and Logpoint. It is often praised for its cost-effectiveness, user-friendly interface, fast search capabilities, and open-source foundation, while competitors may offer more comprehensive features or advanced analytics at a higher cost.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Graylog Enterprise demonstrates strong real-world performance, handling significant log volumes and high message ingestion rates. Its multi-threaded data retrieval and powerful search engine contribute to fast analysis and investigation. The architecture, comprising Graylog, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, allows for immense scalability. However, the infrastructure cost, particularly associated with Elasticsearch, is a recurring theme in user feedback, suggesting that optimizing the underlying data storage is key to managing operational expenses.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews highlight several strengths and weaknesses of Graylog Enterprise.

• Strengths:
  • Log Collection and Centralization: Effectively aggregates logs from diverse sources, providing a unified view.
  • Real-time Search and Analysis: Powerful search engine and real-time updates enable quick data exploration and troubleshooting.
  • Custom Alerts and Dashboards: Users appreciate the ability to create custom alerts for security and compliance, and customizable dashboards for visualization.
  • Open-Source Nature and Flexibility: Its open-source foundation and flexible API are valued, allowing for integration and customization.
  • Stability: Users report the solution is very stable.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Often cited as more cost-effective than major competitors, especially with its free tier for lower ingestion rates.
• Weaknesses:
  • Infrastructure Costs: High infrastructure costs, particularly related to Elasticsearch, are a primary concern for some users.
  • Authentication Improvements: Some users suggest improvements in authentication methods.
  • Documentation and Setup Complexity: Complex configurations and a perceived lack of extensive documentation can make initial setup and rule-writing tedious.
  • Kubernetes Support: Lacks direct Kubernetes support, posing challenges for stable container setups.
  • Integrations: Some users desire improved third-party integrations.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Backend Services Monitoring: Excellent for real-time updates and monitoring backend behavior, especially with strong-typed languages.
  • Security and Compliance: Valuable for security-related use cases, including log centralization, custom alerts for security and compliance, and audit-ready workflows.
  • IT Operations and Infrastructure Monitoring: Provides complete infrastructure visibility, aiding in troubleshooting, incident response, and performance monitoring.
  • DevOps/SRE: Helps monitor and investigate production issues instantly with structured logs and content packs.

Summary

Graylog Enterprise is a powerful and scalable centralized log management solution tailored for enterprise environments. It excels in aggregating, searching, and analyzing vast quantities of log data in real-time, offering robust features for security, operations, and compliance. Its strengths lie in its efficient log collection, powerful search capabilities, customizable alerting and dashboards, and a flexible, open-source foundation. Users particularly value its stability and cost-effectiveness compared to some competitors.

However, the platform presents some challenges, notably the potential for high infrastructure costs, especially concerning Elasticsearch/OpenSearch resource consumption. Users also point to areas for improvement in authentication, documentation clarity, and direct Kubernetes support. Despite these points, Graylog Enterprise is a strong contender for organizations seeking comprehensive log visibility, faster threat detection, and streamlined operational control. It is highly recommended for SecOps, IT Operations, and DevOps teams needing to monitor backend services, ensure compliance, and troubleshoot issues efficiently.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.