About Logging

Yes you do need to have read, write, and modify permissions set for the IUSR account on the folder containing the log files.

No you shouldn't have log files saved in the log_file folder in a public folder. For this reason when configuring log files in the includes/setup_options_inc.asp file it says to change the location where the log files are stored to a non-public folder outside the root of your public website.

I would suggest that you place the log files in a parent folder above the folder containing your website on the server. You need to use the path from the forum application to the log file folder.

Change the following line:-

Const strLogFileLocation = "log_files"

To:-

Const strLogFileLocation = "../../private/log_files"

Change the part in red to the location you want your log files stored. The part ../ is to move up to the parent directory above the location the forum is located.



Edited by WebWiz-Bruce - 30 August 2008 at 8:57am

Just a side note on the method that Bruce suggested (in case someone wonders), this method requires that parent paths be enabled in IIS. To configure IIS to allow parent paths, do this:

1. Launch IIS, right-click the website in question, and click Properties
2. Click the Home Directory tab
3. Under Application Settings, click Configuration
4. Click the Options tab
5. Check the box 'Enable Parent Paths'

 P.S. I'm using IIS 6... not sure how it's done in IIS 7.

Parent paths can coursed a security issue if you do not have your server setup securely.

The present logging feature is still really in early development and so can not use phyiscal paths.

On busy forums you should be careful not to enable logging for everything as there is a BIG performance hit in using logging.

It's mainly intended to log the actions of moderators and admins as a number of people have requested this so they can findout which moderator deleted a topic or post and for legal reasons so that if legal action is taken due to a dodgy post it can be proved legally when the Topic/Post was removed by the admin or moderator. On busy forums I would ONLY enable logging for moderator actions and not for anything else.


Edited by WebWiz-Bruce - 31 August 2008 at 11:15am