# PollingInterval

Seconds between file scans in polling mode; default `10`.

This parameter applies to imfile: Text File Input Module.

Name:

  PollingInterval

Scope:

  module

Type:

  integer

Default:

  module=10

Required?:

  no

Introduced:

  at least 8.x, possibly earlier

## Description

Specifies how often files are polled for new data. It has effect only if imfile is running in polling mode. The time specified is in seconds. During each polling interval, all files are processed in a round-robin fashion.

A short poll interval provides more rapid message forwarding, but requires more system resources. While it is possible, it is strongly recommended not to set the polling interval to 0 seconds. That will make rsyslogd become a CPU hog, taking up considerable resources. Even if quick response is needed, 1 second should be sufficient. imfile keeps reading files as long as there is any data in them, so a “polling sleep” will only happen when nothing is left to be processed.

We recommend to use inotify mode.

## Module usage

    module(load="imfile" PollingInterval="10")

## See also

See also imfile: Text File Input Module.

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