How to monitor multiple log file in Debian Lenny

**Arumugan** · 10-02-2010

Hi all,

I am using GNU based Debian Lenny in my PC. I want to view one or multiple files like the original tail program. I want also monitor wild cards by this way, for example, monitor a complete directory of files. Merging of two or even more log files is possible. Please suggest. Thanks in advance.

Dr. V · 10-02-2010

MultiTail is a program to view one or multiple files like the original tail program. The dissimilarity is that it creates multiple windows on your console. It can also check wildcards, if one more file matching the wildcard has a additional recent alteration date, it will automatically toggle to that file. That method you can, for instance, monitor a complete directory of files. Integration of two or even more log files is possible. Check that and reply.

**SalVatore** · 10-02-2010

MultiTail can be installed bytype the command on terminal console.

Code:

aptitude install multitail

MultiTail lets you analysis one or multiple files like the original tail program. It has interactive menus for restriction given regular language and deleting and adding windows. One can also have windows with the production of shell scripts and other software. When presentation the output of external software, MultiTail can copy the functionality of tools like 'watch' and such. Best of luck.

**jesse** · 10-02-2010

If you want to watch the two logs at the same time, e.g. /var/log/syslog and /var/log/messages, in multitail.you should use the following command:

Code:

multitail /var/log/syslog /var/log/messages

now you should see two "windows", one for the first log file and the second one for the second log file. If you want to scroll through one of these log files, type b and select the log file that you neeed to scroll through. Thanks and reply.

**Lillebror** · 10-02-2010

MultiTail have also more feature apart from generate multiple log files.
# More than one in multiple windows.
# Terminal window is not only flat divided, also upright is likely as Height/width of the windows can be set and number of windows per column can be configured
# Windows can be switch and closed
# window can momentarily be hidden at all windows can be unhidden at once or all windows but the one chosen can be hidden at once
# New windows can be created by the fileselector.