# Random

*Random* input plugin generate very simple random value samples using the device interface */dev/urandom*, if not available it will use a unix timestamp as value.

## Configuration Parameters

The plugin supports the following configuration parameters:

| Key            | Description                                                                                                                                    |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Samples        | If set, it will only generate a specific number of samples. By default this value is set to *-1*, which will generate unlimited samples.       |
| Interval\_Sec  | Interval in seconds between samples generation. Default value is *1*.                                                                          |
| Internal\_Nsec | Specify a nanoseconds interval for samples generation, it works in conjunction with the Interval\_Sec configuration key. Default value is *0*. |

## Getting Started

In order to start generating random samples, you can run the plugin from the command line or through the configuration file:

### Command Line

From the command line you can let Fluent Bit generate the samples with the following options:

```bash
$ fluent-bit -i random -o stdout
```

### Configuration File

In your main configuration file append the following *Input* & *Output* sections:

```python
[INPUT]
    Name          random
    Samples      -1
    Interval_Sec  1
    Interval_NSec 0

[OUTPUT]
    Name   stdout
    Match  *
```

## Testing

Once Fluent Bit is running, you will see the reports in the output interface similar to this:

```bash
$ fluent-bit -i random -o stdout
Fluent Bit v1.x.x
* Copyright (C) 2019-2020 The Fluent Bit Authors
* Copyright (C) 2015-2018 Treasure Data
* Fluent Bit is a CNCF sub-project under the umbrella of Fluentd
* https://fluentbit.io

[2016/10/07 20:27:34] [ info] [engine] started
[0] random.0: [1475893654, {"rand_value"=>1863375102915681408}]
[1] random.0: [1475893655, {"rand_value"=>425675645790600970}]
[2] random.0: [1475893656, {"rand_value"=>7580417447354808203}]
[3] random.0: [1475893657, {"rand_value"=>1501010137543905482}]
[4] random.0: [1475893658, {"rand_value"=>16238242822364375212}]
```


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.fluentbit.io/manual/1.7/pipeline/inputs/random.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.