HP Linux Server Management Software - Manual (Page 45)

3 Consolidated Logging
Distributed Systems Administration Utilities offers consolidated logging features, including the
standard logging features offered by syslogd, and syslog Next Generation (syslog-ng)
features in standalone and cluster log consolidation environments.
The next sections of this document describe their use.
3.1 Introduction to syslog
syslogd (see ) (see syslogd(8)) is a ubiquitous component of UNIX systems that performs system
logging activities. syslogd reads from a set of log sources such as /dev/log and /proc/kmsg
and processes the log messages as instructed in /etc/syslog.conf. Applications log messages
to syslog using the syslog call (see syslog(3C)).
3.1.1 syslog Message Format
A syslog message has a standard format that includes an optional priority level and facility.
The priority level indicates the urgency of the message. The facility indicates the subsystem that
posted the message.
Table 3-1 lists the priority level and facilities defined in /usr/include/
syslog.h .
Table 3-1 syslog Priority Levels
Description Message
Take action immediately. LOG_ALERT
Critical conditions have occurred. LOG_CRIT
Debug-level message. LOG_DEBUG
System is unusable. LOG_EMERG
Error conditions. LOG_ERR
Informational message. LOG_INFO
Normal but significant conditions that warrant attention. LOG_NOTICE
Warning conditions. LOG_WARNING
Table 3-2 describes syslog Facilities Messages.
Table 3-2 syslog Facilities Messages
Description Message
Security/authorization messages (DEPRECATED; use LOG_AUTHPRIV
instead). LOG_AUTH
Security/authorization messages (private). LOG_AUTHPRIV
Clock daemon (cron and at). LOG_CRON
System daemons without separate facility values. LOG_DAEMON
Ftp daemon. LOG_FTP
Kernel messages. LOG_KERN
Reserved for local use. LOG_LOCAL0 through LOC_LOCAL7
Line printer subsystem. LOG_LPR
Mail subsystem. LOG_MAIL
3.1 Introduction to syslog 45