DNS: The selected log file does not exist

i think it has something to do with Lion Server 10.7.1 <vs> Server Admin 10.7

for inspecting and debuggin, the log file for "DNS service" (known as named, a.k.a. bind) is located in /Library/Logs/named.log

you can have similar funcionality with that command run on your Terminal:

# sudo tail -f /Library/Logs/named.log

That will keep watching the log file and dumping to you any new line, like in Server Admin > DNS > Log

To break the command hit CTRL+C

i guess we have to wait for an update of Server Admin Tools...

t

I would just add that you don't have to sudo to tail the named log file.

This bug is so completely obvious, I can't believe that Apple hasn't fixed it yet. It seems that every service in Server Admin is unable to locate it's associated log file. Unacceptable to ship Lion Server in the condition they did.

I have a slight different experience. All the associated 'Log' is able to display in Server Admin except the DNS service's log.

Hmmm... Even with the latest update 10.7.2, this is still not working.

Seems that some logging is working now, but not DNS.

I don't like that the DHCP logging is essentially just a subset of system.log either (system.log | grep bootp) as it makes the actual system log bloated with DHCP information that I believe should be in it's own log file.

Since you can define the log file in named.conf (and hence change it to where the Server Admin tool is looking for its log) has anyone ever figured out where Server Admin is looking for its log file? I tried copying the /Library/logs/named.log to /var/logs, still the same error in Server Admin, can't find the log file. So either it is not looking there, or it is not actually looking for a log file.

Ideas are welcome!

hi John!

if you have time, patience, and squared balls (just for laugh! 🙂):

Use "strace" to trace all system calls a binary make... System calls like "open" file and "close" file =)

That's say, we are going to "trace the files opened by specific application".

"Strace" in MacOSX comes with Developer Tools, so you'll need to install these to continue.

First you have to know which are the Applications in the game, because "Server Admin" is a client-server application, there will be a client application in the client machine, and a server application running in the server.

You have to trace the server application running in the server. It will be the one which opens the log file, and sends the data to the client application.

I've made some previous investigation about the Server Admin Log parser (see https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3352647?start=0&tstart=0).

Also will be helpfull to read a little bit about strace ( http://linux.die.net/man/1/strace )

Here i do my bet, maybe that command line is what you look for:

#sudo strace launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.ServerPerfLog.plist | grep "open"

sudo: do as super user

strace: trace the binary

launchctl: system service

load -w file: load, as defined in this file

| grep open: and substract just the "open file" traces

Let me know if that gives you more clues!

regards, T

p.s.: there is a better way to solve this, better than change it in named.conf (which can conflicts with future apple updates) or copy it to elsewhere (the copy will not be updated).

you can do a symbolic link, which will make the trick (don't change Apple configuration, and keep file updated).

for example:

#ln -s /Library/Logs/named.log /var/log/named.log

that will make any read to /var/log/named.log to really go to /Library/Logs/named.log

You don't change Apple's choice, and the new "file" (because it's really just a link to the old one) will be updated by DNS server.

Well guys, thank you very much for the suggestions, but I took an easier root to solving this issue. But before, let me elaborate.

A couple of days ago, I called Apple support and ask this very same question: Where on earth is Server Admin looking for, to find its DNS log file. Of course, they didn't have the answer. So, after a lot of thinking, and since I hate seeing resources being wasted, I used an old Pentium 4 machine I had in the basement and installed CentOS on it. In a couple of days, I had the DNS, web and Wordpress server installed, without the problems Lion Server gave me. I just finished testing the new set up and I can say it's working like a champ. The Lion server will continue to provide Calendar and Address Book services for me and my family, allow us to share files (even though CentOS is also running afp, so I can use that for sharing too) and email service.

Sorry that I didn't had the chance to investigate your suggestions, but no matter how much I love Apple's products, I have more important jobs to do in my life, than debug their server. If my twins allow me, I may investigate the above and see what I can come up with, but please do not hold your breath.

Again, many thanks for your time answering my question.

tArre, that's what I was hoping to do, if someone knew where Server Admin was looking for its log file.

Thanks again!

10.7.3 and still broken??

I had the same problem, I updated to Server Admin Tools 10.7.3 using Software Update. The DNS log was not visible. I then uninstalled Server Admin Tools (sent to trash) and reinstalled using the .dmg file instead, http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1488.

The DNS log now works and is visible!

Thanks Espen.

This also worked for me.

TK