# Storing Job Results in an External System

After a job executes, job results are returned to the Salt Master by each Salt Minion. These results are stored in the Default Job Cache.

In addition to the Default Job Cache, Salt provides two additional mechanisms to send job results to other systems (databases, local syslog, and others):

- External Job Cache

- Master Job Cache

The major difference between these two mechanism is from where results are returned (from the Salt Master or Salt Minion). Configuring either of these options will also make the `Jobs Runner functions` to automatically query the remote stores for information.

## External Job Cache - Minion-Side Returner

When an External Job Cache is configured, data is returned to the Default Job Cache on the Salt Master like usual, and then results are also sent to an External Job Cache using a Salt returner module running on the Salt Minion.

- Advantages: Data is stored without placing additional load on the Salt Master.

- Disadvantages: Each Salt Minion connects to the external job cache, which can result in a large number of connections. Also requires additional configuration to get returner module settings on all Salt Minions.

## Master Job Cache - Master-Side Returner

Added in version 2014.7.0.

Instead of configuring an External Job Cache on each Salt Minion, you can configure the Master Job Cache to send job results from the Salt Master instead. In this configuration, Salt Minions send data to the Default Job Cache as usual, and then the Salt Master sends the data to the external system using a Salt returner module running on the Salt Master.

- Advantages: A single connection is required to the external system. This is preferred for databases and similar systems.

- Disadvantages: Places additional load on your Salt Master.

## Configure an External or Master Job Cache

### Step 1: Understand Salt Returners

Before you configure a job cache, it is essential to understand Salt returner modules ("returners"). Returners are pluggable Salt Modules that take the data returned by jobs, and then perform any necessary steps to send the data to an external system. For example, a returner might establish a connection, authenticate, and then format and transfer data.

The Salt Returner system provides the core functionality used by the External and Master Job Cache systems, and the same returners are used by both systems.

Salt currently provides many different returners that let you connect to a wide variety of systems. A complete list is available at all Salt returners. Each returner is configured differently, so make sure you read and follow the instructions linked from that page.

For example, the MySQL returner requires:

- A database created using provided schema (structure is available at `MySQL returner`)

- A user created with privileges to the database

- Optional SSL configuration

A simpler returner, such as Slack or HipChat, requires:

- An API key/version

- The target channel/room

- The username that should be used to send the message

### Step 2: Configure the Returner

After you understand the configuration and have the external system ready, the configuration requirements must be declared.

#### External Job Cache

The returner configuration settings can be declared in the Salt Minion configuration file, the Minion's pillar data, or the Minion's grains.

If `external_job_cache` configuration settings are specified in more than one place, the options are retrieved in the following order. The first configuration location that is found is the one that will be used.

- Minion configuration file

- Minion's grains

- Minion's pillar data

#### Master Job Cache

The returner configuration settings for the Master Job Cache should be declared in the Salt Master's configuration file.

#### Configuration File Examples

MySQL requires:

    mysql.host: 'salt'
    mysql.user: 'salt'
    mysql.pass: 'salt'
    mysql.db: 'salt'
    mysql.port: 3306

Slack requires:

    slack.channel: 'channel'
    slack.api_key: 'key'
    slack.from_name: 'name'

After you have configured the returner and added settings to the configuration file, you can enable the External or Master Job Cache.

### Step 3: Enable the External or Master Job Cache

Configuration is a single line that specifies an already-configured returner to use to send all job data to an external system.

#### External Job Cache

To enable a returner as the External Job Cache (Minion-side), add the following line to the Salt Master configuration file:

    ext_job_cache: <returner>

For example:

    ext_job_cache: mysql

Note

When configuring an External Job Cache (Minion-side), the returner settings are added to the Minion configuration file, but the External Job Cache setting is configured in the Master configuration file.

#### Master Job Cache

To enable a returner as a Master Job Cache (Master-side), add the following line to the Salt Master configuration file:

    master_job_cache: <returner>

For example:

    master_job_cache: mysql

Verify that the returner configuration settings are in the Master configuration file, and be sure to restart the salt-master service after you make configuration changes. (`service salt-master restart`).