WebSocket Client

The WebSocket Client destination writes data to a WebSocket endpoint. Use the destination to send data to a WebSocket resource URL.

The WebSocket Client destination opens a connection to the WebSocket endpoint for each batch of data that it writes. The destination sends each record to the WebSocket resource URL. When the batch is fully written, the destination closes the connection and then opens another connection for the next batch of data.

When you configure the WebSocket Client destination, you define the resource URL and headers to use for the requests. You can also configure SSL/TLS properties, including default transport protocols and cipher suites.

Data Formats

WebSocket Client writes data to WebSocket endpoints based on the data format that you select. You can use the following data formats:

Binary

The destination writes binary data from a single field in the record.

JSON

The destination writes records as JSON data. You can use one of the following formats:

Array - Each file includes a single array. In the array, each element is a JSON representation of each record.
Multiple objects - Each file includes multiple JSON objects. Each object is a JSON representation of a record.

SDC Record

The destination writes records in the SDC Record data format.

Text

The destination writes data from a single text field to the destination system. When you configure the stage, you select the field to use. When necessary, merge record data into the field earlier in the pipeline.

You can configure the characters to use as record separators. By default, the destination uses a UNIX-style line ending (\n) to separate records.

When a record does not contain the selected text field, you can configure the destination to report the missing field as an error or to ignore the missing field. By default, the destination reports an error.

When configured to ignore a missing text field, you can configure the destination to discard the record or to write the record separator characters to create an empty line for the record. By default, the destination discards the record.

Configuring a WebSocket Client Destination

Configure a WebSocket Client destination to write data to a WebSocket endpoint.

In the Properties panel, on the General tab, configure the following properties:

General Property	Description
Name	Stage name.
Description	Optional description.
Required Fields	Fields that must include data for the record to be passed into the stage. Tip: You might include fields that the stage uses. Records that do not include all required fields are processed based on the error handling configured for the pipeline.
Preconditions	Conditions that must evaluate to TRUE to allow a record to enter the stage for processing. Click Add to create additional preconditions. Records that do not meet all preconditions are processed based on the error handling configured for the stage.
On Record Error	Error record handling for the stage: Discard - Discards the record. Send to Error - Sends the record to the pipeline for error handling. Stop Pipeline - Stops the pipeline. Not valid for cluster pipelines.

On the WebSocket tab, configure the following properties:

WebSocket Property	Description
Resource URL	WebSocket resource URL. Enter in the following format: <ws \| wss>://<hostname>:<listening_port> Use wss for secure WebSocket connections over HTTPS. For example: ws://localhost:8080
Headers	Headers to include in the request. Using simple or bulk edit mode, click the Add icon to add additional headers.
Maximum Request Time	Maximum number of seconds to wait for a request to complete.

WebSocket Property

Description

Resource URL

WebSocket resource URL. Enter in the following format:

<ws | wss>://<hostname>:<listening_port>

Use wss for secure WebSocket connections over HTTPS.

For example:

ws://localhost:8080

Headers

Headers to include in the request. Using simple or bulk edit mode, click the Add icon to add additional headers.

Maximum Request Time

Maximum number of seconds to wait for a request to complete.

To use SSL/TLS, on the TLS tab, configure the following properties:

TLS Property	Description
Use TLS	Enables the use of TLS.
Truststore File	The path to the truststore file. Enter an absolute path to the file or a path relative to the Data Collector resources directory: $SDC_RESOURCES. For more information about environment variables, see Data Collector Environment Configuration. By default, no truststore is used.
Truststore Type	Type of truststore to use. Use one of the following types: Java Keystore File (JKS) PKCS-12 (p12 file) Default is Java Keystore File (JKS).
Truststore Password	Password to the truststore file. A password is optional, but recommended. Tip: To secure sensitive information such as passwords, you can use runtime resources or credential stores.
Truststore Trust Algorithm	The algorithm used to manage the truststore. Default is SunX509.
Use Default Protocols	Determines the transport layer security (TLS) protocol to use. The default protocol is TLSv1.2. To use a different protocol, clear this option.
Transport Protocols	The 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	Determines the cipher suite to use when performing the SSL/TLS handshake. Data Collector provides a set of cipher suites that it can use by default. For a full list, see Cipher Suites.
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.

On the Data Format tab, configure the following property:

Data Format Property	Description
Data Format	Data format for messages: Binary JSON SDC Record Text

For binary data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following property:

Binary Property	Description
Binary Field Path	Field that contains the binary data.

For JSON data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following property:

JSON Property	Description
JSON Content	Determines how JSON data is written: JSON Array of Objects - Each file includes a single array. In the array, each element is a JSON representation of each record. Multiple JSON Objects - Each file includes multiple JSON objects. Each object is a JSON representation of a record.
Charset	Character set to use when writing data.

For text data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:

Text Property	Description
Text Field Path	Field that contains the text data to be written. All data must be incorporated into the specified field.
Record Separator	Characters to use to separate records. Use any valid Java string literal. For example, when writing to Windows, you might use \r\n to separate records. By default, the destination uses \n.
On Missing Field	When a record does not include the text field, determines whether the destination reports the missing field as an error or ignores the missing field.
Insert Record Separator if No Text	When configured to ignore a missing text field, inserts the configured record separator string to create an empty line. When not selected, discards records without the text field.
Charset	Character set to use when writing data.