Monitoring System Activity and Status through LogDrake

Abstract

This tool allows you to look for specific entries in various log files, thus facilitating the search for particular incidents or security threats.

Additionally a nifty wizard allows you to setup mail alerts to be warned whenever load is too high on your machine or when a service is shut down.

Browsing system logs

Figure 6.9. Browsing and Searching through System Logs

Browsing and Searching through System Logs

These are the steps to follow in order to browse or make a specific event search into the system logs:

  1. You must choose which specific words to match by filling the Matching (log files contain the words) field and/or the but not matching (log files do not contain the words) field. At least one of the two fields must be filled.

  2. Then choose the file you want to perform the search on, in the Choose file area: simply check the corresponding box.

    [Note]Note

    The Mandrake Tools Log is filled by Mandrakelinux-specific configuration tools, like those you find in the Control Center. Each time these tools modify the system configuration they write a line in this log file.

  3. Optionally, you can restrict the search to a specific day. In that case, check the Show only for the selected day box and choose the desired day from the calendar.

  4. When all is set up, click on the Search button. The results will appear in the Content of the file area at the bottom.

Clicking on the Save button will open a standard dialog letting you save the search results into a plain text (*.txt) file.