Server Access Logs

How to view them?

[keyplyr]

Besides tracking software that pulls in log data, what's the best way to look through the server's access logs to see where the hits are coming from?

I have downloaded this huge file every several days by ftp and glanced through it, but only see IP addresses requesting endless files, not much help. How can this be filtered?

Thanks,
D C

[oilman]

If you want to see more than just a list of IP addresses you will need to run the log through something that will do the reverse DNS for you. If you want to just look at the logs raw you can open them in something like notepad and just use ctrl-F to find specific things. There are also ways to import this type of data into a database and then query it.

I'd recommend simply getting a basic log analyis program. It will do most everything you need and save you tonnes of time.

You can use the search function at the top of the page to find some recommendations of software. Personally I use FastStats from Mach5 Software. It's not the best product out there but it's affordable and fast and gives me what I need.

[Ove]

Hi
you can download a trail on webtrends .com and it called loganylyser
its a great tool

/Ove

[keyplyr]

Thanks, since you supplied the term "log analyzer," I searched and found this thread:
[webmasterworld.com...]
which suggests several solutions.

D C

[SmallTime]

I am pretty happy with Sawmill. A search will pull up its address. $100 or less, customizable, run as an app with downloaded logs, or cgi on server.

[angiolo]

Be sure that your LOG are EXYENDED LOG, otherwise you will lose the most important information (for example the keywords the searchers use).

[Macguru]

Here I have to recommand Magic with Analog. Both are free, available for most platforms, quite easy to configure and produce outputs that are very close to the expensive Webtrend packages.
If you read the installation files carefully and execute them step by step, you are on your way with custom reports in 30 minutes.

[EliteWeb]

One recomendation - FlashStats. You know how to find it ;)