Introduction
System logs are crucial for monitoring, diagnosing, and troubleshooting issues in OpenVMS. They provide a detailed record of system events, errors, and other significant activities. This module will cover the types of logs available in OpenVMS, how to access and interpret them, and best practices for using logs in diagnostics.
Key Concepts
- System Logs: Files that record events and messages generated by the operating system and applications.
- Diagnostics: The process of identifying and resolving issues based on log data.
- Log Management: Techniques for organizing, storing, and analyzing log data.
Types of System Logs
OpenVMS maintains several types of logs, each serving a different purpose:
| Log Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Operator Logs | Records system messages and operator communications. |
| Error Logs | Captures hardware and software errors. |
| Accounting Logs | Tracks resource usage and user activities. |
| Security Logs | Logs security-related events such as login attempts and access violations. |
Accessing System Logs
Operator Logs
Operator logs are stored in the SYS$MANAGER directory. You can view them using the TYPE command.
Error Logs
Error logs are managed by the ERRFMT utility. To display error log entries, use the following command:
Accounting Logs
Accounting logs can be accessed using the ACCOUNTING command.
Security Logs
Security logs are part of the audit system and can be viewed using the ANALYZE/AUDIT command.
Interpreting Log Entries
Operator Log Example
%%%%%%%%%%% OPCOM 12-DEC-2023 12:34:56.78 %%%%%%%%%%% Message from user SYSTEM on NODE1 %SHADOW_SERVER-I-SHDCPYMSG, shadow copy operation started on DSA1:
- Date and Time:
12-DEC-2023 12:34:56.78 - Source:
SYSTEM on NODE1 - Message:
shadow copy operation started on DSA1
Error Log Example
%%%%%%%%%%% SYSTEM-F-ACCVIO, access violation, reason mask=00, virtual address=00000000, PC=00000000, PS=00000000
- Error Code:
SYSTEM-F-ACCVIO - Description:
access violation - Details:
reason mask=00, virtual address=00000000, PC=00000000, PS=00000000
Accounting Log Example
Username: SYSTEM Process ID: 20234 Start Time: 12-DEC-2023 12:00:00.00 End Time: 12-DEC-2023 12:30:00.00 CPU Time: 00:00:30.00
- Username:
SYSTEM - Process ID:
20234 - Start Time:
12-DEC-2023 12:00:00.00 - End Time:
12-DEC-2023 12:30:00.00 - CPU Time:
00:00:30.00
Security Log Example
- Date and Time:
12-DEC-2023 12:34:56.78 - Event:
Login success - User:
SYSTEM - Source:
NODE1
Best Practices for Log Management
- Regular Monitoring: Regularly check logs to identify and address issues promptly.
- Automated Alerts: Set up automated alerts for critical events.
- Log Rotation: Implement log rotation to manage log file sizes and ensure older logs are archived.
- Centralized Logging: Use centralized logging solutions to aggregate logs from multiple systems.
- Security: Ensure logs are protected from unauthorized access and tampering.
Practical Exercise
Task
- Access the operator log and identify the last five entries.
- Analyze the error log for any recent hardware errors.
- Review the accounting log to find the user with the highest CPU usage in the last 24 hours.
- Check the security log for any failed login attempts in the past week.
Solution
-
Accessing Operator Log
$ TYPE SYS$MANAGER:OPERATOR.LOG- Scroll to the bottom to find the last five entries.
-
Analyzing Error Log
$ ANALYZE/ERROR_LOG- Look for entries with hardware error codes.
-
Reviewing Accounting Log
$ ACCOUNTING SHOW- Use filters to find entries from the last 24 hours and sort by CPU usage.
-
Checking Security Log
$ ANALYZE/AUDIT- Filter for failed login attempts in the past week.
Conclusion
Understanding and effectively using system logs is essential for maintaining a healthy OpenVMS environment. By regularly monitoring logs, interpreting their entries, and following best practices for log management, you can proactively address issues and ensure system stability and security.
OpenVMS Programming Course
Module 1: Introduction to OpenVMS
- What is OpenVMS?
- History and Evolution of OpenVMS
- Basic Concepts and Terminology
- System Architecture Overview
- Installation and Setup
Module 2: Basic OpenVMS Commands
- Introduction to DCL (Digital Command Language)
- File Management Commands
- Process Management Commands
- System Management Commands
- Using Help and Documentation
Module 3: OpenVMS File System
- File System Structure
- File Types and Attributes
- File Operations
- Directory Management
- Access Control and Security
Module 4: Scripting with DCL
- Introduction to DCL Scripting
- Variables and Data Types
- Control Structures
- Subroutines and Functions
- Error Handling
Module 5: OpenVMS System Management
- User Account Management
- Disk and Volume Management
- Backup and Restore Procedures
- System Monitoring and Performance Tuning
- Patch Management and Updates
Module 6: Networking on OpenVMS
- Networking Basics
- TCP/IP Configuration
- DECnet Configuration
- Network Services and Protocols
- Troubleshooting Network Issues
Module 7: Advanced OpenVMS Programming
- Introduction to OpenVMS Programming Languages
- Using C on OpenVMS
- Using Fortran on OpenVMS
- Using COBOL on OpenVMS
- Interfacing with System Services
Module 8: OpenVMS Clustering
- Introduction to Clustering
- Cluster Configuration and Management
- Cluster Communication
- Failover and Load Balancing
- Cluster Security
Module 9: OpenVMS Security
- Security Concepts and Best Practices
- User Authentication and Authorization
- Auditing and Monitoring
- Data Encryption
- Incident Response and Recovery