Moving SBBS logging out of syslog

[Dumas Walker]

Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog. Recently, some
shit for brains decided that having syslog was "bad" so now there is no easy
way to just load syslog and search it.

I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log. How do I do
that?

And, no I am not looking for a lecture on how this way is better.

Thanks.

#

---
ş Synchronet ş CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
* Vertrauen - Riverside County, California - telnet://vert.synchro.net

[Dumas Walker]

> Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog. Recently,
> some shit for brains decided that having syslog was "bad" so now there is no
> easy way to just load syslog and search it.

> I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log. How do I do
> that?

> And, no I am not looking for a lecture on how this way is better.

> Thanks.

Nevermind, I found the answer right after posting. Now, if I take 'syslog' off
the command line, and I am not running daemonized, where does the log go? The
wiki mentions sbbs.log, but I am not finding that in /var/log or ~/data/logs.
Where does it go?

[Dan Clough]

To: Dumas Walker
-=> Dumas Walker wrote to All <=-

DW> Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog.
DW> Recently, some shit for brains decided that having syslog was
DW> "bad" so now there is no easy way to just load syslog and search
DW> it.

DW> I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log.
DW> How do I do that?

I am using Slackware Linux, and in my /etc/syslog.conf I've added this
near the bottom of the file:

# Synchronet BBS logging - added by Dan C. 2/17/19
local3.* -/var/log/sbbs.log

The "3" on the end of the "local" keyword is because I've also changed
my /sbbs/ctrl/sbbs.ini to have this in the [UNIX] section at the bottom:

; Defaults to using the USER facility.
LogFacility = 3

The result of these two settings produces my log in /var/log/sbbs.log

Hope that helps!




... HAL 9000 - Dave. Put down those Windows disks. Please, Dave.
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (1:135/115)

[Digital Man]

To: Dumas Walker
Re: Re: Moving SBBS logging out of syslog
By: Dumas Walker to All on Fri Feb 16 2024 10:26 am

> > Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog. Recently,
> > some shit for brains decided that having syslog was "bad" so now there is
> > no easy way to just load syslog and search it.
>
> > I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log. How do I
> > do that?
>
> > And, no I am not looking for a lecture on how this way is better.
>
> > Thanks.
>
> Nevermind, I found the answer right after posting. Now, if I take 'syslog'
> off the command line, and I am not running daemonized, where does the log
> go? The wiki mentions sbbs.log, but I am not finding that in /var/log or
> ~/data/logs. Where does it go?

It goes to syslog (the daemon/service, not necessarily the file "syslog"). Look at your syslog configuration file to find out which *files* it goes to. Or use something like journalctl (if you have it) to view them based on service. There's also tools like lnav which are nice for viewing logs.
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #77:
SSL = Secure Sockets Layer (precursor to TLS)
Norco, CA WX: 58.9øF, 75.0% humidity, 3 mph SSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

[nelgin]

To: Dumas Walker
On Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:58:27 -0500
"Dumas Walker" (VERT/CAPCITY2)

<VERT/CAPCITY2!Dumas....@endofthelinebbs.com> wrote:
> Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog.
> Recently, some shit for brains decided that having syslog was "bad"
> so now there is no easy way to just load syslog and search it.
>
> I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log. How do
> I do that?
>
> And, no I am not looking for a lecture on how this way is better.
>
> Thanks.
>
> #
>
> ---

> ■ Synchronet ■ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net *
> Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP
FWIW
$ cat /etc/rsyslog.d/40-synchronet.conf
if $programname == 'synchronet' then {
if $msg startswith ' web ' then {
action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/web.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") } else if $msg startswith ' mail '
then { action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/mail.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") } else if $msg startswith ' srvc '
then { action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/service.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") } else if $msg startswith ' evnt BINK'
then { action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/binkit.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") } else if $msg startswith ' evnt '
then { action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/event.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") } else if $msg startswith ' term '
then { action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/term.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") } else if $msg startswith ' ftp ' then
{ action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/ftp.sbbs.log"
fileOwner="bbs" fileGroup="bbs") }
else
{
action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/sbbs.log" fileOwner="bbs"
fileGroup="bbs") }
stop
}
if $programname == 'ircd' then {
action(type="omfile" file="/var/log/sbbs/ircd.log" fileOwner="bbs"
fileGroup="bbs") stop
}
I basically get a different file for each service in /var/log/sbbs
in my systemd file
#StandardOutput=syslog
#StandardError=syslog
SyslogIdentifier=synchronet
#SyslogFacility=local3
All the logging stuff is commented out except for SyslogIdentifier.
sbbs.ini contains

; Defaults to using the USER facility.
LogFacility=3

; syslog identity to use (when daemonized)
LogIdent=synchronet
Somehow, it all works.
--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
---
￭ Synchronet ￭ End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com

[dragon]

To: Digital Man
I'm running Synchronet on Windows. I have most of my other services on
dozens of machines sending log data to a central Windows syslog server.
I would LOVE to get Synchronet to do that as well. Possible?

---
þ Synchronet þ IPTIA - bbs2.ipingthereforeiam.com:2323

[Digital Man]

To: dragon
Re: Syslog and Windows
By: dragon to Digital Man on Fri Feb 16 2024 07:47 pm

> I'm running Synchronet on Windows. I have most of my other services on
> dozens of machines sending log data to a central Windows syslog server.
> I would LOVE to get Synchronet to do that as well. Possible?

If you run Synchronet on Windows a NT services, then all the log output goes to the Synchronet Event log:
https://wiki.synchro.net/monitor:ntsvcs

I don't have experience with it, but apparently using something like EventReporter, you can forward all Windows event log messages to a syslog server.
--
digital man (rob)

Breaking Bad quote #15:
Cheer up Gomey, your people still got J. Lo. - Hank Schrader
Norco, CA WX: 58.6øF, 78.0% humidity, 2 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

[Dumas Walker]

To: DIGITAL MAN

> It goes to syslog (the daemon/service, not necessarily the file "syslog"). Loo

> at your syslog configuration file to find out which *files* it goes to. Or use

> omething like journalctl (if you have it) to view them based on service. There

> also tools like lnav which are nice for viewing logs.

I looked into journalctl. It is supposed to show syslog output with the
option '-u syslog' but it does not. It claims there are "no entries." It
does not know what 'sbbs' is, presumably because I don't run it daemonized,
so there are also "no entries."

To my knowledge, there is no syslog configuration file because rsyslog is
not installed -- it was replaced with the stupid systemd journaling crap
which, as I have figured out, doesn't work so good. I actually just
checked. /etc/rsyslog.d is still there, but its contents are being ignored
by the broken new replacement.

It is like a linux dev decided to answer a question that no one asked --
how can I make it harder for users who are good with cat, grep, head, tail,
etc., to check their logs? -- and the predictably dumb answer was journalctl.

So I don't want synchronet logging going to "syslog" anymore, file or
otherwise. Now that I have taken syslog off the command line, where is sbbs
logging to? It currently looks like nowhere, so I'd like to fix that if
possible.

If not possible, I will check into reinstalling rsyslog and living with
everything (supposedly) being logged twice, which seems like a real PITA.


* SLMR 2.1a * "For there is no sea, with out the dolphin" -- Oppian

---
ţ Synchronet ţ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

[Dumas Walker]

To: DAN CLOUGH

> DW> Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog.
> DW> Recently, some shit for brains decided that having syslog was
> DW> "bad" so now there is no easy way to just load syslog and search
> DW> it.

> DW> I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log.
> DW> How do I do that?

> I am using Slackware Linux, and in my /etc/syslog.conf I've added this
> near the bottom of the file:

Sounds like maybe Slackware Linux, or at least the version you are running,
has not switched over to systemd? That happened a few debian versions ago.
With the latest version, they've replaced rsyslog with some systemd
journaling. I can learn some new tool(s) to get to the syslog output I
want, *IF* they worked as documented which they do not here.

> # Synchronet BBS logging - added by Dan C. 2/17/19
> local3.* -/var/log/sbbs.log

> The "3" on the end of the "local" keyword is because I've also changed
> my /sbbs/ctrl/sbbs.ini to have this in the [UNIX] section at the bottom:

> ; Defaults to using the USER facility.
> LogFacility = 3

> The result of these two settings produces my log in /var/log/sbbs.log

> Hope that helps!

I may have to reinstall rsyslog and live with the syslog output being both
written to file and (maybe) journaled (although it does not really appear
to be like it is supposed to be).


* SLMR 2.1a * I was a tall person before I used PKZIP...!

---
ž Synchronet ž CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

[Gamgee]

To: Dumas Walker
-=> Dumas Walker wrote to DAN CLOUGH <=-

> DW> Several years ago I set my BBS up to write the log to syslog.
> DW> Recently, some shit for brains decided that having syslog was
> DW> "bad" so now there is no easy way to just load syslog and search
> DW> it.

> DW> I want to revert back to having Synchronet keeps its own log.
> DW> How do I do that?

> I am using Slackware Linux, and in my /etc/syslog.conf I've added this
> near the bottom of the file:

DW> Sounds like maybe Slackware Linux, or at least the version you
DW> are running, has not switched over to systemd? That happened a
DW> few debian versions ago.

Yes, Slackware does not, and likely never will, use systemd. That's a
Good Thing in my opinion. :-)

DW> With the latest version, they've replaced rsyslog with some
DW> systemd journaling. I can learn some new tool(s) to get to the
DW> syslog output I want, *IF* they worked as documented which they
DW> do not here.

Yep, I have a Debian box and some other variants and have noticed that
too. I don't know much about it, but the "journalctl" command may help.

> # Synchronet BBS logging - added by Dan C. 2/17/19
> local3.* -/var/log/sbbs.log

> The "3" on the end of the "local" keyword is because I've also changed
> my /sbbs/ctrl/sbbs.ini to have this in the [UNIX] section at the bottom:

> ; Defaults to using the USER facility.
> LogFacility = 3

> The result of these two settings produces my log in /var/log/sbbs.log

> Hope that helps!

DW> I may have to reinstall rsyslog and live with the syslog output
DW> being both written to file and (maybe) journaled (although it
DW> does not really appear to be like it is supposed to be).

That's probably an option; don't think it would hurt anything to have two
logs, if it allows you to use the tools you prefer. Good luck.


... All the easy problems have been solved.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
ţ Synchronet ţ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

[deon]

To: Dumas Walker
Re: Re: Moving SBBS logging o

By: Dumas Walker to DIGITAL MAN on Sat Feb 17 2024 10:48 am

Howdy,

> I looked into journalctl. It is supposed to show syslog output with the
> option '-u syslog' but it does not. It claims there are "no entries." It
> does not know what 'sbbs' is, presumably because I don't run it daemonized,
> so there are also "no entries."

FWIW, I'm using journalctrl.

My sbbs.ini has:

; Defaults to using the USER facility.

LogFacility = 1

; syslog identity to use (when daemonized)
LogIdent = synchronet

And then to see synchronet logs, I use:
journalctl -f --since "today" -tsynchronet

I dont recall if I did anything on the systemd side (dont remember), and havent figured out how to use journalctl with any anger - but the command above gets me what I need...


...лоеп

---
ю Synchronet ю AnsiTEX bringing back videotex but with ANSI

[nelgin]

On Sat, 17 Feb 2024 15:00:00 -0600
"Gamgee" (VERT/PALANTIR) <VERT/PALANTIR!Gam...@endofthelinebbs.com>
wrote:

> DW> Sounds like maybe Slackware Linux, or at least the version you
> DW> are running, has not switched over to systemd? That happened a
> DW> few debian versions ago.
>
> Yes, Slackware does not, and likely never will, use systemd. That's
> a Good Thing in my opinion. :-)

I hated systemd to start with, however having used it for a while now,
I have found it's extremely powerful.

For example:

I am now running each part of sbbs separately, term, services, mail,
webserver and ftp. Each has their own startup script such as

sbbs-ftp.service, sbbs-term.service and they are controlled as a group
by sbbs.service

So I can start and stop each individually or as a group.

I do a similar thing with sexpots. I have 4 lines and each one runs via
an independent systemd file, but can be controlled as a group.

It's easy to run sbbs as a separate user, and set parameters for the
environment that it'll run in.

--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
---

ţ Synchronet ţ End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com

[Digital Man]

To: Dumas Walker
Re: Re: Moving SBBS logging o
By: Dumas Walker to DIGITAL MAN on Sat Feb 17 2024 10:48 am

> So I don't want synchronet logging going to "syslog" anymore, file or
> otherwise. Now that I have taken syslog off the command line, where is sbbs
> logging to?

The console. And the traditional BBS sessions are logged to files in the data/logs directory.
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet "Real Fact" #7:
The name "Synchronet" was suggested by Steve Deppe (Ille Homine Albe) in 1991
Norco, CA WX: 53.5øF, 82.0% humidity, 7 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

[Gamgee]

To: nelgin
-=> nelgin wrote to All <=-

> DW> Sounds like maybe Slackware Linux, or at least the version you
> DW> are running, has not switched over to systemd? That happened a
> DW> few debian versions ago.

> Yes, Slackware does not, and likely never will, use systemd. That's
> a Good Thing in my opinion. :-)

ne> I hated systemd to start with, however having used it for a while
ne> now, I have found it's extremely powerful.

ne> For example:

ne> I am now running each part of sbbs separately, term, services,
ne> mail, webserver and ftp. Each has their own startup script such
ne> as

ne> sbbs-ftp.service, sbbs-term.service and they are controlled as a
ne> group by sbbs.service

ne> So I can start and stop each individually or as a group.

ne> I do a similar thing with sexpots. I have 4 lines and each one
ne> runs via an independent systemd file, but can be controlled as a
ne> group.

ne> It's easy to run sbbs as a separate user, and set parameters for
ne> the environment that it'll run in.

While it "may" make some things more convenient, any of that stuff can
be done the "old fashioned way" with scripts, probably in /etc/rc.d ,
and passing of command-line parameters (like start|stop|restart).



... She kept saying I didn't listen to her, or something like that.

--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
ţ Synchronet ţ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

[Dumas Walker]

To: GAMGEE

> Yes, Slackware does not, and likely never will, use systemd. That's a
> Good Thing in my opinion. :-)

Indeed. I run devuan on a couple of boxes for that reason, but I have
found it is not real reliable for my use if I need X windows. So it runs
on cli only machines and in a couple of VMs.

> DW> With the latest version, they've replaced rsyslog with some
> DW> systemd journaling. I can learn some new tool(s) to get to the
> DW> syslog output I want, *IF* they worked as documented which they
> DW> do not here.

> Yep, I have a Debian box and some other variants and have noticed that
> too. I don't know much about it, but the "journalctl" command may help.

It might except...

> DW> I may have to reinstall rsyslog and live with the syslog output
> DW> being both written to file and (maybe) journaled (although it
> DW> does not really appear to be like it is supposed to be).

> That's probably an option; don't think it would hurt anything to have two
> logs, if it allows you to use the tools you prefer. Good luck.

It is not so much that, but journalctl is supposed to be able to show me
the syslog logging if I give it a '-u syslog' but it reports there are no
entries. Oooops! ;)


* SLMR 2.1a * <A>bort <R>etry <S>hoot the SOB!

---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

[Dumas Walker]

To: DEON

> My sbbs.ini has:
> ; Defaults to using the USER facility.
> LogFacility = 1
> ; syslog identity to use (when daemonized)
> LogIdent = synchronet

> And then to see synchronet logs, I use:
> journalctl -f --since "today" -tsynchronet

> I dont recall if I did anything on the systemd side (dont remember), and haven

> figured out how to use journalctl with any anger - but the command above gets

> what I need...

Are you running synchronet daemonized? I am not, and the sbbs.ini notes
seem to indicate that this only works when you are, but will try those
settings and see if I am reading that wrong. Thanks.


* SLMR 2.1a * Camel: A quarter horse designed by a committee.

---
ž Synchronet ž CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

[Dumas Walker]

To: DIGITAL MAN

> The console. And the traditional BBS sessions are logged to files in the data/

> gs directory.

So it only goes to the console?

I have seen those logs, they don't hold much info when it comes to
non-traditional sessions, like a QWK node uploading REP packets.


* SLMR 2.1a * We're having an adventure, just like the Goonies!!!

---
ţ Synchronet ţ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

[Digital Man]

To: Dumas Walker
Re: Re: Moving SBBS logging o

By: Dumas Walker to DIGITAL MAN on Sun Feb 18 2024 11:00 am

> > The console. And the traditional BBS sessions are logged to files in the
> > data/
> > gs directory.
>
> So it only goes to the console?

Correct.

> I have seen those logs, they don't hold much info when it comes to
> non-traditional sessions, like a QWK node uploading REP packets.

That's right.
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #6:
BBS = Bulletin Board System
Norco, CA WX: 63.8øF, 61.0% humidity, 0 mph SSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

[deon]

To: Dumas Walker
Re: Re: Moving SBBS logging o

By: Dumas Walker to DEON on Sun Feb 18 2024 10:40 am

> Are you running synchronet daemonized? I am not, and the sbbs.ini notes
> seem to indicate that this only works when you are, but will try those
> settings and see if I am reading that wrong. Thanks.

I am.

I start my SSBS with "sbbs -d" from a script.

...лоеп

---
ю Synchronet ю AnsiTEX bringing back videotex but with ANSI

[Dumas Walker]

To: DIGITAL MAN

> > I have seen those logs, they don't hold much info when it comes to
> > non-traditional sessions, like a QWK node uploading REP packets.

> That's right.

I installed rsyslog and all is well again.


* SLMR 2.1a * I still miss my Ex... But my aim _is_ improving!

---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

[dragon]

To: Digital Man

On 2/16/2024 21:12, Digital Man wrote:
> Re: Syslog and Windows
> By: dragon to Digital Man on Fri Feb 16 2024 07:47 pm
>
> > I'm running Synchronet on Windows. I have most of my other services on
> > dozens of machines sending log data to a central Windows syslog server.
> > I would LOVE to get Synchronet to do that as well. Possible?
>
> If you run Synchronet on Windows a NT services, then all the log output goes to the Synchronet Event log:
> https://wiki.synchro.net/monitor:ntsvcs
>
> I don't have experience with it, but apparently using something like EventReporter, you can forward all Windows event log messages to a syslog server.

Quite a lot of functionality is lost by running Synchronet as a service.
I would much prefer to have Synchronet send log entries directly to a
remote syslog server. If this seems too difficult to implement, I won't
keep pushing the idea.

---
þ Synchronet þ IPTIA - bbs2.ipingthereforeiam.com:2323

[Digital Man]

To: dragon
Re: Re: Syslog and Windows
By: dragon to Digital Man on Mon Feb 19 2024 08:03 pm

> On 2/16/2024 21:12, Digital Man wrote:
> > Re: Syslog and Windows
> > By: dragon to Digital Man on Fri Feb 16 2024 07:47 pm
>
> > > I'm running Synchronet on Windows. I have most of my other services
> > on
> > > dozens of machines sending log data to a central Windows syslog
> > server.
> > > I would LOVE to get Synchronet to do that as well. Possible?
>
> > If you run Synchronet on Windows a NT services, then all the log output
> > goes to the Synchronet Event log:
> > https://wiki.synchro.net/monitor:ntsvcs
>
> > I don't have experience with it, but apparently using something like
> > EventReporter, you can forward all Windows event log messages to a syslog
> > server.
>
> Quite a lot of functionality is lost by running Synchronet as a service.

What functionality is that? With the addition of MQTT support in v3.20, I plan to make running Synchronet as an NT service to as natural (and featureful) as it is to run it as a daemon on *nix.

> I would much prefer to have Synchronet send log entries directly to a
> remote syslog server. If this seems too difficult to implement, I won't
> keep pushing the idea.

Nobody's ever made the request before. <shrug>
--
digital man (rob)

Breaking Bad quote #13:
I got twenty bucks that says he's a beaner. - Hank Schrader
Norco, CA WX: 53.0øF, 96.0% humidity, 0 mph NW wind, 0.10 inches rain/24hrs

[MRO]

To: Digital Man

Re: Re: Syslog and Windows

By: Digital Man to dragon on Mon Feb 19 2024 10:05 pm

> > I would much prefer to have Synchronet send log entries directly to a
> > remote syslog server. If this seems too difficult to implement, I won't
> > keep pushing the idea.
>
> Nobody's ever made the request before. <shrug>

Hey, guy who runs serveral external servers here.

i don't think it's necessary to be implimented directly into synchronet.
they can have this functionality via scripting or editing the source code.
---
ş Synchronet ş ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

[Dumas Walker]

To: DRAGON

> Quite a lot of functionality is lost by running Synchronet as a service.
> I would much prefer to have Synchronet send log entries directly to a
> remote syslog server. If this seems too difficult to implement, I won't
> keep pushing the idea.

Since it sounds like you are talking about windows, this may not be an
option, but I think that rsyslog gives you the option to send the output to
a remote syslog server. That should mean that individual software programs
don't need to know how to do it on their own.


* SLMR 2.1a * Avoid reality at all costs.

---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP