Ubuntu Log Files
In this article, I will explain what the log files means in ubuntu. The word log means record. Logging is the process of keeping digital movements with these records. It is the keeping of records of every work done on electronic systems such as software, operating systems, IOT devices with the developing technology.
Basically, log files are stored under the /var/log/ directory on Ubuntu servers. Grafana offers the opportunity to view logs collected with promtail and stored with loki on the dashboard screen.
- SYSlogs
It is a system where logs of system logins, warnings, statuses, errors and reports are kept in order to understand what is happening in our system. Syslog records system errors, attacks, or operating system problems. We can view the system logs on the panel using the Grafana {filename=”/var/log/syslog”} query.
2. Authlog
All authentication related events on Ubuntu server are logged here. When a user in the system logs in or cannot open via the terminal, it can be viewed from this file. Unsuccessful password attempts for root and other users are also written to this file.We can view the authentication logs on the panel using the Grafana {filename=”/var/log/authlog”} query.
3. Kernlog
It stores kernel logs or kernel alert data.This information is useful for troubleshooting kernel errors. The kernel controls everything in the operating system; including process management, memory management and device management. We can view the kernel logs on the panel using the Grafana {filename=”/var/log/kernlog”} query.
4. Daemonlog
It displays running system information to help users detect errors and troubleshoot problems before they actually happen.Daemon Log is useful as it also diagnoses many configuration errors and daemon software problems of the system. We can view the daemon logs on the panel using the Grafana {filename=”/var/log/daemonlog”} query.
5. Maillogs
All logs related to the mail server are stored here. The logs generated by Postfix are stored in a file called maillog. We can monitor all emails sent or received during a given period and investigate issues with failed mail delivery. We can view the maillogs on the panel using the Grafana {filename=”/var/log/mail.log”} query.
6. Alternativeslogs
It gives Information about the update-alternatives are logged into this log file. We can view the alternativeslogs on the panel using the Grafana {filename=”/var/log/alternatives.log”} query.
