I am a fan of the previous incarnation of the PlugComputer so I was excited to see that Marvell have unveiled a new PlugComputer dubbed imaginatively "PlugComputer 3.0."
PlugComputer 3.0 Features:
Smaller sleeker design,
More powerful CPU - 2gz Armanda 300 CPU,
120GB 1.8-inch SATA hard drive,
Wifi,
Bluetooth,
10/100/1000 wired Ethernet,
USB 2.0.
512MB of RAM
512MB of Flash memory
I for one would like to see an additional Ethernet port added to increase application flexibility, for some applications where you are using clustered plugs or even for routing, having multiple Ethernet ports is a must.
Even without multiple ethernet ports, these low power consumption devices really could have a place in SME environments, replacing large cumbersome legacy hardware with compact Linux plug servers.
More information about the PlugComputer can be found here
// declare an empty dynamic array
a = array()
// declare a simple dynamic array
a = array("barry", "recital", "boston")
foreach a as value
echo value
endfor
// declare an associative array
a = array("name" => "barry", "company" => "recital", "location" => "boston")
echo "length of a is " + len(a)
foreach a as key => value
echo "key=" + key + ", value=" + value
endfor
This article talks about the log files available in Recital products and how to enable logging when required.
Overview
When discussing a problem with the Recital Support Team, one of the most common requests is that you enable logging and send them the log files produced. Log files along with error files are designed to provide detailed information about Recital processes and the prevailing environment and can be a fast-track to resolving a problem.
Log Files
There are three main types of log file:
- System Log
- Client/Server Communication Logs
- Custom Logs
System Log
The System log is a system-wide all product log. It tracks all login and logout operations from either Recital or the Recital Server. Logout details include the exit code: 0 for an error-free, 'normal' exit and the error number and message when an error has occurred. It also shows the licenses that have been loaded and any license error codes and messages. The system log filename is recital.log.
Client/Server Communication Logs
The Client/Server communication logs track the requests and responses between the Recital Server and its clients. The log files are as follows:
| Filename | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
dbserver.log |
System-wide |
The Recital Server startup log. This logs any problems with the Recital Server startup. |
|
port.log |
System-wide |
The port listener log. The port listener (or portserver) listens on port 8001 for client connection requests and spawns the appropriate server process. |
|
net.log |
Connection |
The netserver log. The netserver is the Recital Server database and 4GL engine. |
|
rsi.log |
Connection |
The Recital Server Interface (RSI) Gateway log. This logs communication with the Database Gateways to SQL databases. |
|
rec.log |
Connection |
The Recital Database Gateway log. The Recital Database Gateway (or recserver) is the SQL database engine for Recital Gateway data access. |
|
mys.log |
Connection |
The MySQL Database Gateway log. |
|
ora.log |
Connection |
The Oracle Database Gateway log. |
|
inf.log |
Connection |
The Informix Database Gateway log. |
|
ing.log |
Connection |
The Ingres Database Gateway log. |
|
pos.log |
Connection |
The PostgreSQL Database Gateway log. |
|
jdb.log |
Connection |
The JDBC Driver Database Gateway log. |
Custom Logs
The Recital/4GL USERLOG() function can be used to log information to a user-specific log file for debugging or audit trail purposes. For full information on this function, please see the USERLOG() documentation.
Enabling Log Files
For instructions on enabling log files for individual products, please follow these links:
- Recital Server for Windows
- Recital Server for Linux
- Recital Server for UNIX
- Recital Server for OpenVMS
- Recital for Linux
- Recital for UNIX
- Recital for OpenVMS
Enabling Log Files: Recital Server for Windows
To enable the system log file for the Recital Universal Application Server for Windows, include the following command in the UAS\config.db file:
set syslogging on
The Recital Server Manager System Logging tab allows for the viewing and resetting of the System log.
Section
Item
Description
System Logging
DateTime
Date and time stamp of the action.
Name
Login name used by connection
Action
Action logged: Login, Logoff, Errot
Details
Details of action
Buttons
Purge
Allows the log file to be reset
Refresh
Refreshes the display
To set up Client/Server logging, use the Recital Server Manager Settings tab to update the server's Registry entries:
The following Log file settings can be configured:
|
Item |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Log files Directory Path |
Enter the directory in which log files will be created. The default is the UAS\log directory. |
|
Enabled |
Check to enable log file creation. |
|
Versions |
Check to enable log file versioning. |
|
Listener |
Click to view the current port listener log file |
|
Server |
Click to view the current netserver log file |
|
Purge |
Click to purge all log files |
Enabling Log Files: Recital Server for Linux
To enable the system log file for the Recital Server for Linux, include the following command in the conf/config.db file:
set syslogging on
To set up Client/Server logging, the Recital Server can be started with the 'logging' parameter, in which case, all relevant logging will take place.
# service startup logging<
Alternatively, one or more of the following environment variables can be added to the dbserver.conf file or set at the Operating System prompt. The Recital Server must be restarted before environment variable changes will be recognized. Each environment variable should be set to the name of a log file.
Environment Variable
Logs Activity of...
UASLOG_PORT
Port Server (db_rsiserver)
UASLOG_NET
(Net) Server (db_netserver)
UASLOG_ORA
Oracle Server (db_oraserver)
UASLOG_INF
Informix Server (db_infserver)
UASLOG_ING
Ingres Server (db_ingserver)
UASLOG_JDB
JDBC Server (db_jdbserver)
UASLOG_REC
Recital Server (db_recserver)
Extract from recital.conf:
UASLOG_PORT="port.log" ; export UASLOG_PORT UASLOG_NET="net.log" ; export UASLOG_NET UASLOG_ORA="ora.log" ; export UASLOG_ORA UASLOG_INF="inf.log" ; export UASLOG_INF UASLOG_ING="ing.log" ; export UASLOG_ING UASLOG_JDB="jdb.log" ; export UASLOG_JDB UASLOG_REC="rec.log" ; export UASLOG_REC
DB_LOGDIR
If the environment variable DB_LOGDIR is set to an existing directory, all log files will be written to this directory. If not, the log files will be created in the bin directory.
DB_LOGDIR is set in the conf/recital.conf file. By default it is set to the log directory:
DB_LOGDIR=${ROI_ROOT}log/ ; export DB_LOGDIR
DB_LOGVER
If the environment variable DB_LOGVER is greater than 0, version numbers are added to the file names. For example, the activity of the first Net Server process will be logged to net.log, the second to net001.log, the third to net002.log etc. up to the maximum value of DB_LOGVER.
DB_LOGVER is set in the conf/recital.conf file:
DB_LOGVER=10; export DB_LOGVER
Enabling Log Files: Recital Server for UNIX
To enable the system log file for the Recital Server for UNIX, include the following command in the conf/config.db file:
set syslogging on
To set up Client/Server logging, the Recital Server can be started with the 'logging' parameter, in which case, all relevant logging will take place.
# service startup logging
Alternatively, one or more of the following environment variables can be added to the <em>dbserver.conf</em> file or set at the Operating System prompt. The Recital Server must be restarted before environment variable changes will be recognized. Each environment variable should be set to the name of a log file.
Environment Variable
Logs Activity of...
UASLOG_PORT
Port Server (db_rsiserver)
UASLOG_NET
(Net) Server (db_netserver)
UASLOG_ORA
Oracle Server (db_oraserver)
UASLOG_INF
Informix Server (db_infserver)
UASLOG_ING
Ingres Server (db_ingserver)
UASLOG_JDB
JDBC Server (db_jdbserver)
UASLOG_REC
Recital Server (db_recserver)
Extract from recital.conf:
UASLOG_PORT="port.log" ; export UASLOG_PORT UASLOG_NET="net.log" ; export UASLOG_NET UASLOG_ORA="ora.log" ; export UASLOG_ORA UASLOG_INF="inf.log" ; export UASLOG_INF UASLOG_ING="ing.log" ; export UASLOG_ING UASLOG_JDB="jdb.log" ; export UASLOG_JDB UASLOG_REC="rec.log" ; export UASLOG_REC
DB_LOGDIR
If the environment variable DB_LOGDIR is set to an existing directory, all log files will be written to this directory. If not, the log files will be created in the bin directory.
DB_LOGDIR is set in the conf/recital.conf file. By default it is set to the log directory:
DB_LOGDIR=${DB_ROOT}log/ ; export DB_LOGDIR
DB_LOGVER
If the environment variable DB_LOGVER is greater than 0, version numbers are added to the file names. For example, the activity of the first Net Server process will be logged to net.log, the second to net001.log, the third to net002.log etc. up to the maximum value of DB_LOGVER.
DB_LOGVER is set in the conf/recital.conf file:
DB_LOGVER=10; export DB_LOGVER
Enabling Log Files: Recital Universal Application Server for OpenVMS
To enable the system log file for the Recital Universal Application Server for OpenVMS, include the following command in the db_uas:config.db file:
set syslogging on
To set up Client/Server logging, one or more of the following symbols can be added to the <em>db_uas:login.com</em> file. The Recital Server must be restarted before symbol changes will be recognized. Each symbol should be set to the name of a log file.
Symbol
Logs Activity of…
UASLOG_PORT
Port Server (db_rsiserver)
UASLOG_NET
(Net) Server (db_netserver)
UASLOG_ORA
Oracle Server (db_oraserver)
UASLOG_INF
Informix Server (db_infserver)
UASLOG_ING
Ingres Server (db_ingserver)
UASLOG_JDB
JDBC Server (db_jdbserver)
UASLOG_REC
Recital Server (db_recserver)
Extract from db_uas:login.com
$ uaslog_port :== port.log $ uaslog_net :== net.log $ uaslog_ora :== ora.log $ uaslog_inf :== inf.log $ uaslog_ing :== ing.log $ uaslog_jdb :== jdb.log $ uaslog_rec :== rec.log
DB_LOGDIR
If the symbol DB_LOGDIR is set to an existing directory, all log files will be written to this directory. If not, the log files will be created in the UAS directory.
DB_LOGDIR is set in the db_uas:login.com file. By default it is set to the UAS.log] directory:
$db_logdir :== 'db_root'.log] ! system logging directory
DB_LOGVER
If the symbol DB_LOGVER is enabled, version numbers are added to the file names. For example, the activity of the first Net Server process will be logged to net.log, the second to net001.log, the third to net002.log etc.
DB_LOGVER is set in the db_uas:login.com file:
$db_logver :== true ! enable multiple log files
Enabling Log Files: Recital for Linux
To enable the system log file for Recital for Linux, include the following command in the conf/config.db file:
set syslogging on
Enabling Log Files: Recital for UNIX
To enable the system log file for Recital for UNIX, include the following command in the conf/config.db file:
set syslogging on
Enabling Log Files: Recital for OpenVMS
To enable the system log file for Recital for OpenVMS, include the following command in the db_ovd:config.db file:
set syslogging on
In Brief
- Log files provide important information to aid problem resolution, but they are also an overhead, so logging should only be enabled when required, not in normal production operation.
- The System log provides a system-wide view of logins, exits and error codes.
- The System log can be viewed in table format via the SYSLOGGING System Table.
- The System log is enabled using the SET SYSLOGGING ON Recital/4GL command in the conf/config.db file.
- Client/Server logs provide detailed information on client/server requests and responses.
- Client/Server logs are enabled using environment variables, symbols or Registry entries or by specifying the 'logging' parameter when starting the Recital Server.
- The location of log files is determined by the DB_LOGDIR setting.
- Versioning of log files is determined by the DB_LOGVER setting.
APPEND FROM TYPE CSV <file-name.csv>The TYPE keyword has now been enhanced to support a comma separated values (CSV) format
try
open database southwind
catch
die("Cannot open database, please try later.")
endtry
STRERROR()
Syntax
STRERROR( [ <expN> ] )Description
The STRERROR() function returns a string describing the last operating system error message. If the optional error number is specified then the related operating system error message will be returned.Example
mqdes=mqcreate("/myqueue", 2)
if (mqdes < 0)
messagebox(strerror()+",errno="+alltrim(str(error())))
return
endif
rc = mqsend(mqdes, "Test message")
if (rc < 0)
messagebox(strerror()+",errno="+alltrim(str(error())))
return
endif
mqclose(mqdes)
sernet.de maintain the latest Samba releases in a yum repository, allowing for an easy and painless install or upgrade of Samba on your yum based Linux distribution.
To install the latest available Samba execute the following commands at the shell:
# cd /etc/yum.repos.d # wget http://ftp.sernet.de/pub/samba/experimental/centos/5/sernet-samba.repo # yum install samba
To upgrade an existing Samba install:
# cd /etc/yum.repos.d # wget http://ftp.sernet.de/pub/samba/experimental/centos/5/sernet-samba.repo ## Note: edit sernet-samba.repo and add the line "gpgcheck=false" otherwise ## it will not install as it is not signed
# yum update samba
Note: These steps will install the very latest build available at sernet.de.
If you require a less bleeding edge version of Samba, use the "tested" repo. This can be found at the following URL: http://ftp.sernet.de/pub/samba/tested/rhel/5
auth sufficient pam_krb5.so try_first_pass
auth sufficient pam_unix.so shadow nullok try_first_pass
account required pam_unix.so broken_shadow
account [default=bad success=ok user_unknown=ignore] pam_krb5.so
Occasionally as a Linux administrator you will be in the situation where working on a remote server and you are left with no option but to force a reboot the system. This may be for a number of reasons, but where I have found it most frequent is when working on Linux clusters in a remote location.
When the "reboot" or "shutdown" commands are executed daemons are gracefully stopped and storage volumes unmounted.
This is usually accomplished via scripts in the /etc/init.d directory which will wait for each daemon to shut down gracefully before proceeding on to the next one. This is where a situation can develop where your Linux server fails to shutdown cleanly leaving you unable to administer the system until it is inspected locally. This is obviously not ideal so the answer is to force a reboot on the system where you can guarantee that the system will power cycle and come back up. The method will not unmount file systems nor sync delayed disk writes, so use this at your own discretion.
To force the kernel to reboot the system we will be making use of the magic SysRq key.
The magic_SysRq_key provides a means to send low level instructions directly to the kernel via the /proc virtual file system.
To enable the use of the magic SysRq option type the following at the command prompt:
echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/sysrq
Then to reboot the machine simply enter the following:
echo b > /proc/sysrq-trigger
Voilà! Your system will instantly reboot.
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