View and configure logs

Each subsystem within WebLogic Server generates log messages to communicate its status. For example, when you start a WebLogic Server instance, the Security subsystem writes a message to report its initialization status. To keep a record of the messages that its subsystems generate, WebLogic Server writes the messages to log files.

The server log records information about events such as the startup and shutdown of servers, the deployment of new applications, or the failure of one or more subsystems. The messages include information about the time and date of the event as well as the ID of the user who initiated the event. You can view and sort these server log messages to detect problems, track down the source of a fault, and track system performance. You can also create client applications that listen for these messages and respond automatically. For example, you can create an application that listens for messages indicating a failed subsystem and sends email to a system administrator.

The main steps for viewing and configuring logs are:

If you have not already done so, in the Change Center of the Administration Console, click Lock & Edit (see Use the Change Center).
To view logs:
1. In the left pane of the Console, expand Diagnostics and select Log Files.
2. In the Log Files table, select the radio button next to the name of the log you want to view.
3. Click View.
  The page displays the latest contents of the log file; up to 500 messages in reverse chronological order. The messages at the top of the window are the most recent messages that the server has generated.
  
  The log viewer does not display messages that have been rotated into archive log files. For more information, see Rotate log files.
4. Select the radio button next to the log record you want to view.
5. Click View.
  The page displays the log file entry.
To configure logs:
1. In the left pane of the Console, expand Environment and select Servers.
2. In the Servers table, click the name of the server instance whose logging you want to configure.
3. Select Logging > General.
4. Retain or modify the default values.
  For more information about the values to enter in the fields on this page, see Configuration Options.
Click Save.
To activate these changes, in the Change Center of the Administration Console, click Activate Changes.
Not all changes take effect immediately—some require a restart (see Use the Change Center).

Administration Console Online Help

View and configure logs