# logstash-forwarder-java

## What is this ?

Logstash-forwarder-java is a log shipper program written in java. This is in fact a java version of [logstash-forwarder](https://github.com/elasticsearch/logstash-forwarder) by jordansissel.
Here are a few features of this program :
  - compatible with Java 5 runtime
  - lightweight : requires only a few dependencies and few system resources
  - configuration compatible with logstash-forwarder
  - lumberjack output

## Why ?

Logstash-forwarder is written in go. This programming language is not available on all platforms (for example AIX), that's why a java version is more portable.

Logstash runs on java and provides a lumberjack output, but the file input doesn't run on all plaforms (for example AIX) and logstash requires a recent JVM. Moreover Logstash is heavier : big package and more system resources.

So logstash-forwarder-java is a solution for those who want a portable, lightweight log-shipper for their ELK stack.