[HPADM] SUMMARY: syslog redirection

From: Timothy A Reed (treed21@csc.com)
Date: Wed Jan 11 2006 - 10:13:56 EST


Original question is at the bottom of this email. Thanks to:
Susan Pellerito
Mike Keighley
Bill Hassell
Martin Lodahl
David Lodge

All reminded me that since syslog communicates using UDP, if the central
server is down, entries will be lost. And most suggested keeping the
entries locally as well as sending to the central server so they will be
available if needed.

Most complete answer was from David Lodge:
Yes.

Syslog sends over UDP on a "broadcast and forget" concept. If there's
nobody to receive or the packet gets snarled up in the network traffic
then the message is lost.

There are ways to mitigate these issues:
1. Use some form of HA clustering to ensure that there is always a log
server available
2. Try and site the syslog server on the same subnet as your major
production systems (so traffic doesn't have to route through the network
core and minimises the risk of traffic loss)

If you're going ahead with this I would suggest having a look at
syslogng as this allows a lot more filtering techniques than standard
syslogd (e.g. load all syslogs directly into a database)

Thanks,
Tim Reed
Computer Scientist
Computer Sciences Corporation
treed21@csc.com
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----- Forwarded by Timothy A Reed/GIS/CSC on 01/11/2006 08:04 AM -----
                                                                                                                              
                      Timothy A Reed
                      /GIS/CSC To: hpux-admin@DutchWorks.nl
                                               cc:
                      01/10/2006 12:00 Subject: syslog redirection(Document link: Timothy A Reed)
                      PM
                                                                                                                              

I'm being asked to route syslog messages to a central server. I know how to
configure syslog.conf to do that. My question is: what happens if the
central server is down or the network is unavailable? Will the message
forwarding just be lost (on the central server) or will they queue up on
the local server for later delivery? Will any additional messages be logged
to the local server about the communication failure?

Thanks,
Tim

Thanks,
Tim Reed
Computer Scientist
Computer Sciences Corporation
treed21@csc.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note that this e-mail, including any attachments, contains
information that is subject to United States laws and regulations. The use
or further dissemination of these materials or information therein may be
prohibited by United States law.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a PRIVATE message. If you are not the intended recipient, please
delete without copying and kindly advise us by e-mail of the mistake in
delivery. NOTE: Regardless of content, this e-mail shall not operate to
bind CSC to any order or other contract unless pursuant to explicit written
agreement or government initiative expressly permitting the use of e-mail
for such purpose.
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