What are Linux log files

A log file is a set of records stored by Linux for administrators to track and monitor important events. They contain information about the server, including information such as the kernel, services, and applications running on it.

Linux provides a centralized repository of log files, usually located in the /var/log directory. This directory contains a large number of files where we can get information about each application.

Types of Linux log files

Log files generated in a Linux environment can usually be divided into four different categories:

1. Application log

2. Event log

3. Service log

4. System log

Why monitor Linux log files?

Log management is an integral part of any server administrator's responsibilities.

By monitoring Linux log files, we can get detailed information about server performance, security, error messages and underlying issues, and more. Regular log file analysis is required if we want to adopt both active and passive approaches to server management.

In short, monitoring log files can predict upcoming problems and solve them before they are discovered.

Key system logs that need to be monitored

The following are the main Linux log files that need to be monitored:

Authorization Log (auth.log): It mainly tracks the use of the authorization system that controls user access, and all authentication-related events are logged here.

Daemon log (daemon.log): It mainly tracks services running in the background that perform important tasks. Daemon processes often have no graphical output.

Debug log: Mainly provides debugging output for the application.

Kernel log: Mainly provides administrators with detailed information about the Linux kernel.

System Log: Mainly contains the most information about the system, if your application does not have its own log, the entries may be located in this log file.

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