Calculated items: reference a key containing macros

[draco_jem]

Hi everyone!

I'm using an external check to retrieve NTP data from a bunch of servers, the key for the external check is like this:

ntp_offset.sh["-t","{HOST.CONN}","-s", "213.209.109.45"]

the script ntp_offset.sh connects to the host specified with -t using ntpq, retrieves the data about the servers and returns the offset specified with the option -s.

I would like to use the values from the External Check in a calculated item, but using the function

last( "ntp_offset.sh["-t","{HOST.CONN}","-s","213.209.109.45"]" )

gives me the following error when Zabbix executes the check

Cannot evaluate function "last()": item "db-01:ntp_offset.sh["-t","{HOST.CONN}","-s","213.209.109.45"]" does not exist.

I tried to replace {HOST.CONN} with the IP of the host, the fqdn of the host and the hostname of the host ....same result as before.

Anyone have succesfully used an External Check or another key containing macros as part of a Calculated Item?
Is there a way to get the real key of the External Check item with macro expanded?

Thanks a lot!

[kansatij]

Yes, I have successfully used an External Check or another key containing macros as part of a Calculated Item.

1) Example of key containing macro as a calculated item:
Created below item and it is giving correct result

Zabbix Agent Item key: net.tcp.port[{HOST.IP},10050]
Calculated Item key: last("net.tcp.port[{HOST.IP},10050]")

2) Example of external check containing macro as calculated item
Created below item and it is also giving correct result

External check Item key: cores.sh["{HOST.IP}", "{HOST.CONN}"]
Calculated Item key: last("cores.sh["{HOST.IP}", "{HOST.CONN}"]")

The issue which you are facing is not occurring due to usage of Macro it is either related to external check Item key doesn't exist already in your system or it is not exactly same as mentioned in calculated Item key.
Also escape double quotes using \ as shown below:

Instead of using last( "ntp_offset.sh["-t","{HOST.CONN}","-s","213.209.109.45"]" ) use this last("ntp_offset.sh["-t","{HOST.CONN}","-s","213.209.109.45"]" )

[kansatij]

In above post escape character is not visible in last line. Please find below its usage
Instead of using last( "ntp_offset.sh["-t","{HOST.CONN}","-s","213.209.109.45"]" ) use this last("ntp_offset.sh[<esc>"-t<esc>",<esc>"{HOST.CONN}<esc>",<esc>"-s<esc>",<esc>"213.209.109.45<esc>"]" )

Where <esc> is \ escape character