SUSE Linux 10.0 Unleashed

Now that you have your DNS Server installed, you will want to set up logging so you can help find problems and aid your troubleshooting process if needed. It's recommended to turn on logging only as needed, but as long as you are checking often and saving old log files, checking them and analyzing them for issues or problems, you can leave it on.

There are many things you can log, as shown in Figure 27.14, and there are multiple options you can choose from.

To specify the location where the logging data is stored, look under Log Type in the DNS Server Logging dialog box. By clicking the Browse button, you can select a new location to store the file. It's recommended that you click Browse anyway and make a new directory called DNSLOG, for example, so that you can save all your files in one location. As a handy side note, from the example shown here, I have named the file in a way that dates it, because if you save files, you will need a way to recall what files have what information in them. You'll also need to know when they were created so that you have a way to track back to a specific time or date. Either way, make sure you have a system in place that allows you to organize your data so that it's easy to retrieve.

If you choose Log to a System Log, you can now log to the system log, which is stored in /var/log/messages. Also, make sure you set the log correctly, including its size, which should be set to about 5 10MBs, depending on how much information you want to store based on your logging selections. Zone transfers are the only entries to be logged, and they are being logged to an independent file named DNS052005, which stands for DNS log, 05 (month of May), and the year 2005. You can use any example that comes to mind, or use this one if it works for you and your business or personal needs.