diff b/w /var/log/messages & /var/log/security

[Maaz]

Hello Dear Gurus
Plz explain/define me the diff b/w the two log files, i.e the diff b/w /var/log/messages & /var/log/security. Which types of logs are logged in these two files

and also
plz define/unveil the function/role of /etc/profile file

Regards
Maaz

[Kodjo Agbenu]

Hi,

First, have a look into /etc/syslog.conf. You will see that system logging daemon (syslog) is configured to log different types of information into different files.

Then read the manpage of syslog to learn more about syslog mechanism.

According to /etc/profile : this file contains some system-wide environment variables.

Good luck.
Kodjo

[Alex Lavrov.]

http://openskills.info/infobox.php?ID=1085

Here you have some nice compares between linux destributions and messages that are logged in each file.


/etc/profile is executed every time user logins into the system. /etc/profile is general login fil for all users and each user can have .profile in his home directory for the specific things only he needs.

[Steven E. Protter]

/var/log/messages is the general log file for Linux. If there is no more specific file the message goes here.

The security log is accurate to its name. In mine you see all the ssh transactions. root did an ssh script on another node for example.

SEP

[Maaz]

Dear Kodjo Agbenu I m highly Thankful to u for such a prompt reply.

Dear Alex Lavrov, and SEP yours reply are also so nice and helpful

Thanx a Million to All of u

Regards
Maaz