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Watch several log files in a single window

Terminal - Watch several log files in a single window
multitail /var/log/messages /var/log/apache2/access.log /var/log/mail.info
2009-06-22 06:51:11
User: Neo23x0
4
Up
Down
Watch several log files in a single window

It works like a "tail -f" on several files.

Use the number keys 0-9 to set a baseline in the numbered window.

Pressing "b" let you scroll back in one of the windows.

Add to favourites | Report as malicious

Alternatives

There are 10 alternatives - vote for the best!

Terminal - Alternatives
multitail -l 'ssh machine1 "tail -f /var/log/apache2/error.log"' -l 'ssh machine2 "tail -f /var/log/apache2/error.log"'
2011-10-12 10:05:18
User: mischamolhoek
Tags: ssh tail remote multitail
10
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Watch several log files of different machines in a single multitail window on your own machine

this way you have the multitail with all its options running on your own machine with the tails of the two remote machines inside :)

Comments (1) | Add to favourites | Report as malicious

Know a better way?

If you can do better, submit your command here.

What others think

um... Why would I want to install (and use) a second command that works exactly like tail -f?

Comment by ozymandias 204 weeks and 2 days ago

It does not work exactly like tail -f

http://www.vanheusden.com/multitail/

Comment by qubyte 204 weeks and 2 days ago

@ozymandias because it works a little differently than tail -f in that it is intended to follow multiple files, hence the 'multi' part of the multitail name. Neat command!

Comment by bwoodacre 204 weeks and 2 days ago

My experience:

multitail takes 100% of CPU on very busy systems.

Tailing weblogic logs was so horrible, I've had to shot it down.

For messages/syslog it should do just fine.

Comment by HeadLess 204 weeks ago

another option is:

sudo grc tail -f /var/log/foo

Comment by Viperlin 204 weeks ago

Your point of view

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