Loading ...Search Linux / UNIX log files smartly for an alert or warning error
So how do you find an alert or warning words in a log file over text based session? Simply use old good grep command. Usually I recommend searching following words
=> fail
=> denied
=> segfault
=> segmentation
=> rejected
=> oops
=> warn
Find an alert or warning words from log files
You need to use grep command:
grep {search-word} /path/to/log/file
Find out all segfault error from /var/log/messages file, enter the following command as privileged user:
# grep -i segfault /var/log/messages
Output:
Sep 23 12:20:09 node10 kernel: mutt[8896]: segfault at 0000000000000010 rip 0000000000439d5e rsp 00007fff36a30040 error 6 Sep 24 12:20:10 node10 kernel: mutt[20107]: segfault at 0000000000000010 rip 0000000000439d5e rsp 00007fffd99dbac0 error 6 Sep 25 12:20:09 node10 kernel: mutt[19734]: segfault at 0000000000000010 rip 0000000000439d5e rsp 00007fff5d807290 error 6
Look like node10's mutt command generated segfault error while sending daily reports attachment via email.
GUI Tools
System Log Viewer is a graphical, menu-driven viewer that you can use to view and monitor your system logs. System Log Viewer comes with a few functions that can help you manage your logs, including a calendar, log monitor and log statistics display.
Redhat / CentOS tool
Redhat (RHEL) Linux offers gui tool called Log Viewer. Type the redhat-logviewer command at a shell prompt or use GUI menus to start the same. You can set filter words (alter words) by clicking on Edit > Preferences menu > Alter tab > Add button
Debian / Ubuntu tool
Debian / Ubuntu Linux also offers GUI tool to view and search log files by setting filters. Click on Applications menu > Choose System Tools > Admin > System Log.
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Tags: grep_command, grep_search, log_files, redhat-logviewer_command, search_log_messages, system_log_viewer
It would be quicker and easier if you were to do something like this.
egrep '(fail|denied|segfault|segmentation|reject|oops|warn)' /var/log/messages
I find when I’m looking for problems it is easier to look for that. However I enjoy reading your tips.