Logging
Learn about system logs and the /var/log directory.
0 of 6 lessons complete
Practice in terminal (Ubuntu sandbox) ↗
Syllabus
- 01 System Logging Learn how Linux log sources, collectors, storage, and viewing tools fit together. ✓
- 02 syslog Learn how syslog facilities, severities, routing rules, and the logger command work. ✓
- 03 General Logging Learn how to discover, filter, follow, and correlate general Linux system logs. ✓
- 04 Kernel Logging Learn how to query current and retained Linux kernel messages with dmesg and journalctl. ✓
- 05 Authentication Logging Learn how to locate, interpret, and safely correlate Linux authentication records. ✓
- 06 Managing Log Files Learn how to configure, test, and verify safe text-log rotation with logrotate. ✓
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Linux logs are explained?
The course covers general system logs, authentication events, kernel messages, syslog, common files under /var/log, and log rotation.
Do log locations differ between distributions?
Yes. File names and logging services can vary, but the course teaches concepts that help you identify the relevant source on your system.
Why is log rotation necessary?
Rotation limits storage growth while retaining useful history, helping systems avoid disk exhaustion and keeping archived logs manageable.