Syslog service in pfSense v2.8.1 often stop itself

DBMandrake

@sokeada Noticed this problem a couple of times myself over the last two weeks.

I don't use syslog-ng but do log System Events, General Authentication Events and VPN Events to a remote syslog server on a LibreNMS server.

Although I don't have the data to confirm it, after reading this thread the failures very likely correlate with a reboot of that remote server.

stephenw10

The workaround firewall rules should work for you there.

AlexanderK

i am facing the same issue.
Any fix expept from watchdog and rules?

provels

@AlexanderK At least with Watchdog you'll get informed when it happens. That will give you something to work with to try tracking it down in the logs. That said, mine stopped again a few days ago, coincidentally at 00:15 again (marked XXXX). Perhaps it is some timing issue in syslogd that works only 95% of the time? There re plenty of instances of syslogd exiting and successfully restarting a second later, but sometimes it doesn't without a kick in the pants. In any case, I'll stick with watchdog for the present, won't hurt. Just adding to the conversation, not a big issue for me.

XXXX Oct 14 00:15:02	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Oct 8 02:45:53	syslogd		sendto: Connection refused
Oct 8 02:45:53	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Oct 8 02:45:52	syslogd		exiting on signal 15
Oct 8 02:45:22	syslogd		sendto: Connection refused
Oct 8 02:45:22	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Oct 8 02:44:27	syslogd		exiting on signal 15
Oct 8 02:44:21	syslogd		sendto: Connection refused
XXXX Oct 3 00:15:02	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Sep 30 17:09:30	syslogd		sendto: Connection refused

stephenw10

If it's actually external you can add the work-around stateless floating rules to prevent the connection refused message.

provels

@stephenw10 If directed at me, it's not external. It's a second HDD internal to the FW, mounted as a directory on the system SSD. Not complaining.

stephenw10

No sorry that was at the previous poster. The workaround rule won't work for traffic to syslog-ng locally.

provels

Stopped again this AM at 00:15, random interval. Maybe something to do with daily log rotation, GZipping the log, dunno. Just info, not an issue for me anyway.

6 Matched General Log Entries. (Maximum 500)
Oct 23 00:15:02	php-cgi	95349	notify_monitor.php: Message sent to provels
Oct 23 00:15:02	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Oct 14 00:15:03	php-cgi	10330	notify_monitor.php: Message sent to provels
Oct 14 00:15:02	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Oct 3 00:15:03	php-cgi	55524	notify_monitor.php: Message sent to provels
Oct 3 00:15:02	syslogd		kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel

The top of today's default.log.

Oct 23 00:00:00 fw syslog-ng[13248]: Configuration reload request received, reloading configuration;
Oct 23 00:00:00 fw syslog-ng[13248]: Configuration reload finished;
Oct 23 00:10:00 fw syslog-ng[13248]: Log statistics; processed='destination(_DEFAULT)=183', dropped='global(internal_source)=0', processed='global(internal_source)=183', queued='global(internal_source)=0', processed='global(msg_clones)=0', processed='source(_DEFAULT)=183', processed='src.internal(_DEFAULT#0)=183', processed='global(sdata_updates)=0', stamp='src.internal(_DEFAULT#0)=1761195600', queued='global(scratch_buffers_count)=0', processed='global(payload_reallocs)=178', processed='center(queued)=183', processed='center(received)=183', queued='global(scratch_buffers_bytes)=0'
Oct 23 00:15:02 localhost syslogd: restart
Oct 23 00:15:02 localhost syslogd: kernel boot file is /boot/kernel/kernel
Oct 23 00:15:02 localhost php-cgi[95349]: notify_monitor.php: Message sent to provels

aldomoro

Hi

We use Graylog as remote syslog. If server with Graylog has outage, e.g. is restarted due to updates, syslogd is stopped in pfSense 2.8.1. We did not have this issue in v2.8.0.

Aldomoro

stephenw10

Yes, that's the bug discussed here. The workaround rules will prevent it. https://redmine.pfsense.org/issues/16362#note-5

provels

@aldomoro Possibly the best use of Service Watchdog. Maybe the only one! :)

geovaneg

Hi,

Same problem here:

"Nov 2 22:00:02 pfsense syslogd: sendto: Connection refused" (system.log)

PfSense CE 2.8.1, remote logging enabled.

Anothers instances 2.8 running OK.

Workaround: whatchdog

Thanks.

Geovane