Managing Log Files


WWIV BBS has many processes which generate a lot of log files. This list catalogs the files, their purpose and some tips for managing log files.

File Path Locations

File Path Description
WWIV_DIR BBS Root directory, such as C:\\wwiv or /wwiv
WWIV_LOG_DIR Location defined in wwivcofig for the Logs Dir or may be set with the environment variable WWIV_LOG_DIR or the --logdir command line argument. They will override this setting from wwivconfig. Like all other paths, if specified as a relative path, it is relative to the bbsdir (aka WWIV_DIR or --bbsdir).
NETWORK_DIR Directory for the network defined in INIT, it could either be a WWIVnet style network or a FTN network. Each network will have it's own network directory.
GFILES_DIR WWIV GFiles directory. Typically \wwiv\gfiles

Log Files

Log filename File Path Description
NETWORK*.LOG WWIV_LOG_DIR These log files are generated for each of the network*.exe executables. They contain information about the execution of the executable.
WWIVSYC.LOG WWIV_LOG_DIR Created by wwiv for debug information when using the synchronet FOSSIL VDD and DOSXTRN.EXE commands
*.LOG WWIV_LOG_DIR Each binary creates log file for it's execution, and will be located in the logdir.
YYMMDD.LOG GFILES_DIR These Daily log files contain the user sessions and commands and actions by those users.
NET.LOG GFILES_DIR Log of the WWIVNEt connects and Nets processed, how much data and length of connection.
NETDATA#.LOG GFILES_DIR NET38B logs with the connects made, message and data counts.
1617813748NEWS.LOG NETWORK_DIR These files are frequently 0 length. They are generated by the NEWS (Usenet) processing service.
NEWS.LOG NETWORK_DIR WINS log of connect to WWIVnet Nodes and NNTP Servers

Managing Log Files

Many of the Log files generated by WWIV will append to the end of the file until you rename\delete\move the current file after which a new file will be created. Here are some tools\tips to help you with the process.

WWIV5 Log Mover
In the OPS (as in Operations) repository, there is a wwiv5_logmover.bat batch file which will move and rename log files. You just need to schedule it to run as often as you wish. Daily is probably enough.

LogRotate
This popular Linux tool also has a windows version. You can use this to daily move, rename and compress log files resulting in daily versions of long running log files.