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Configuring NetCache appliance log file collection

Synchronizing logging rotation and log file collection

Reason to synchronize log rotation and collection  Top

If ContentReporter collects log files directly from a NetCache, you must synchronize NetCache logging rotation and ContentReporter log file collection to ensure that the NetCache does not rotate out some log files faster than the ContentReporter collects them. If a NetCache rotates out some log files before collection, data is lost. Depending on how fast your NetCache appliance log files grow in size, you might need to modify the NetCache logging rotation and maximum log file size, and increase how often the ContentReporter server collects the log files.

Note
If you do not want to synchronize NetCache logging and ContentReporter log file collection, configure your NetCache to push its log files to either a directory or an FTP server and configure ContentReporter to collect the log files from the directory or FTP server.

How NetCache logging works  Top

When you select log rotation, the NetCache appliance saves the active log and up to 10 previous log files on disk for each type of log that is enabled. When the log reaches maximum size, or when the preset interval or time is reached, the NetCache appliance rotates out the oldest log. The previously active log then becomes the most recent old log. Logs remain on the appliance until they are rotated out. You can set the maximum log file size from 1 to 1999 megabytes.

Note
The NetCache appliance always rotates or pushes a log file when it reaches the maximum size, regardless of the settings specified in the "How to Switch Log Files" option.

Example  Top

The following example illustrates the relationship between the NetCache appliance logging and the ContentReporter server collection of logs.

Relationship between NetCache logging and ContentReporter collection of log files

Assume you set the maximum log file size of a certain NetCache appliance to 500 megabytes, schedule its log files to rotate daily at six a.m., and schedule the ContentReporter server to collect the NetCache appliance log files every day at one a.m.

Scenario A: Successful log file collection

If the NetCache appliance log files reach the maximum size four times in between rotation times, (and the NetCache rotates out four old log files), the ContentReporter server will successfully collect all new log files at one a.m. (At six a.m., the NetCache rotates out a fifth old log file.)

Scenario B: Unsuccessful log file collection

If the NetCache appliance log files reach the maximum size fifteen times in between rotation times, (and the NetCache rotates out fifteen old log files), the ContentReporter server will not collect up to five NetCache appliance log files that were rotated out. Any reports on this NetCache appliance generated in ContentReporter would be inaccurate. To correct this situation, you could either increase the maximum log file size to 1000 megabytes, and/or schedule the ContentReporter server to collect the log files twice a day.

Synchronizing log rotation and collection  Top

To synchronize NetCache logging rotation and the ContentReporter server collection of log files, complete the following steps.

Note
The following instructions explain how to enable both Web Access logging and Streaming Access logging. If you collect only one type of log file, skip the instructions for enabling the other type.

Step

Action
1

In the NetCache appliance Manager window, click the Data tab
2

To examine Web Access log file rotation settings, click Log Files > Web Access.

Result:

The Web Access log file names, time-stamps, and sizes appear in the first panel.
3

Examine the Web Access log files to determine how quickly the log files are growing in size and rotating.
4

Record this logging information.

You will use this information when you schedule log file collection.
5

To examine Streaming Access log files, click Streaming Access.

Result:

The Streaming Access log file names, time-stamps, and sizes appear in the first panel.
6

Examine the Streaming Access log files to determine how quickly the log files are growing in size and rotating.
7

Record this logging information.

You use this information when you schedule log file collection.
8

To review or modify the maximum log file size and logging rotation, click the Setup tab.
9

Click System > Logging.

Result:

The maximum log file size and logging information displays.
10

Examine, and if necessary, modify the NetCache logging rotation as needed.

11

Record this logging information.

You will use this logging information to properly schedule the log file collection in ContentReporter. To learn more about scheduling log file collection, see Step three: Scheduling log file collection.

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