How do I download the full system logs?

luckman212

This may seem like a rather simplistic question but-
I want to download the "full" system logs (the GUI only shows the last 50 lines). How do I do this? I can log in via SSH but I'd like to get the actual file on my windows machine for easier viewing/searching/printing etc.

v2.0rc3 nanobsd
thanks

Nachtfalke

First, under "settings" tab in systemlog you can change from 50 lines up to 2.000 lines.
The other way is to send all you syslogs to an external syslog server. this can be configured under "settings" tab, too.

luckman212

ok, but is there not a way to log in via console and "send" the /var/log/* files to an external host? (after the fact)

stephenw10

The logs are only held in ram so if you reboot you will lose them.
The logs are also stored using a circular log format so you need to view them using the clog command:
http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Why_can%27t_I_view_view_log_files_with_cat/grep/etc%3F_%28clog%29
If you need to keep all your logs you will need so setup a syslog server:
http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Copying_Logs_to_a_Remote_Host_with_Syslog

Steve

luckman212

great Steve, thank you :)

johnpoz

Any linux box can be your syslog server, or if looking for one for windows - this great little tool also does syslog.

http://tftpd32.jounin.net/
Tftpd32 is a free, opensource IPv6 ready application which includes DHCP, TFTP, DNS, SNTP and Syslog servers as well as a TFTP client.

Its a great tool to have in your tool box since it can do quite a few services you might need at on the fly for troubleshooting, etc.

stephenw10

@johnpoz:

this great little tool also does syslog. http://tftpd32.jounin.net/

That's a great tip. :)
I've used that for a long time but only ever as a tftp server. I didn't even realise it could do so much more. ::)

Steve

jimp

Good find. I added a link to that on our wiki page for syslog (linked above)

seh2000

Hi,

I been using Syslog Watcher for a while, the latest version 4.2.8 got a facelift and bugs fixed.
The Personal License is free and support 5 syslog sources (devices).

www.snmpsoft.com/downloads.html

Cheers Steen

JSmorada

Do what Nachtfalke said, change the settings to 2000 lines, turn on logging to a syslog server and point it to the ip address of your pc, download and install syslog watcher on your pc and you're good to go.