Comprehensive log collection in EventLog Analyzer

The first step in log management is collecting log data. Log collection can be a challenging task because some systems such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and intrusion prevention systems have EPS (events per second) that generate large amounts of log data. To collect and process log data in real time, regardless of the volume of log data and the number of devices in the network, organizations need a robust log collection mechanism.

Every network has different systems and environments that generate various log formats, such as event logs, syslogs, and other application logs. The information gained from a router log differs from that gained from a firewall. Also, some logs cannot be collected directly, such as those in DMZs. All in all, log collectors need to be flexible enough to accomodate all network devices and applications.

Agent-based and agentless log collection

EventLog Analyzer can collect logs from multiple log sources such as Windows systems, Unix/Linux systems, applications, databases, firewalls, routers, switches, and IDS/IPS. Windows devices don't require agents to collect logs while syslog devices require them mostly for load balancing purposes. Hence, EventLog Analyzer is designed to support both agent-based and agentless log collection mechanisms to cater to all devices and applications in the network. EventLog Analyzer's architecture is scalable and can support up to 20,000 log sources.

Before you start using log management software, be sure to configure each device's log collection settings. That way, you'll save storage space by only saving the logs that you really need. You can configure the log collection settings using either the local group policy or the syslog service.

Universal log collection

EventLog Analyzer also supports universal log collection with its Universal Log Parsing and Indexing (ULPI) technology, which enables security administrators to decipher and analyze any log data regardless of its source and format. The collected log data is centrally aggregated and presented in a single console for log sources across locations.

Custom log collection

EventLog Analyzer supports custom log collection, meaning it can collect events from text files on both Windows and Linux computers. Some applications don't follow the standard logging services—Windows event log and syslog—and log information as text files instead. When these logs are collected, they are parsed into custom fields created for that particular log data.