Post Installation Recommendations

Configuring XpoLog to Storage

It is highly recommended to configure XpoLog to work against an external storage location / directory. XpoLog requires full permissions (read/write) on this location with direct/fast access.

To configure XpoLog to storage:

1. Create a folder under the name “XpoLogConfig”.
2. Go to XpoLog > Settings > General. 
3. Select the Use external configuration directory checkbox and type the absolute path into XpoLogConfig – “…/XpoLogConfig/”
   XpoLog saves the information and requests a restart.
4. Restart XpoLog, and go once again to XpoLog > Settings > General, and ensure that the configuration was saved successfully. 
   XpoLog saves all the information into this external folder.
   Note: It is recommended to back it up occasionally. If you remove your XpoLog version and redeploy, you can always point the new XpoLog instance to this folder to use the existing configuration or for clustering purposes.
   For further information, contact the support team at support@xplg.com

Allocating More Memory to XpoLog (64-bit installations)

It is highly recommended to install XpoLog on a 64 bit OS, which enables higher allocation of memory than the default.

To allocate more memory:

1. Stop XpoLog.
2. Edit the file /.../XPOLOG_INSTALL_DIR/XpoLog.lax (Windows) OR /.../XPOLOG_INSTALL_DIR/XpoLog.sh.lax (Linux/Solaris).
3. Look for -Xmx1024m (default allocation is 1024 MB) and allocate more memory based on the available memory of the machine. For example, to allocate 4096 MB change the value to be -Xmx4096m and save.
   Note: it is recommended to allocate 75% of the machine's memory.
4. Start XpoLog. 

Windows Specific - Assign a service account

After installation, XpoLog service is available under the Windows services panel (XpoLogCenter). It is highly recommended, after installation, to assign an account on the service for optimized connectivity between XpoLog and remote log sources over the Windows network. 

To assign a service account:

1. Go to the Windows Services Panel.
2. Right click the XpoLogCenter service > Properties
3. Go to the 'Log On' tab (by default, XpoLog is installed with a Local System Account). Select this account and assign a specific account that XpoLog can use to read remote log sources.
4. Save and restart.

Linux Specific - Allocating Allowed Open Files / Number of Processes 

It is very important to allocate 10,000 allowed open files and allowed number of processes to XpoLog that runs on Linux (default is usually 1024).
The allocation can be done specifically to the user who runs XpoLog: 

To check the limitation for the user who runs XpoLog:

1. Open SSH terminal to XpoLog's machine and log in using the same user that runs XpoLog (for example, Putty).
2. Run the command: 'ulimit -n' and then the command: 'ulimit -u'
   The recommended output should be 10000.

To allocate the required number of open files:

• Log in to the machine that runs XpoLog, as superuser if needed, and edit the file /etc/security/limits.conf, by adding the following line:
  [USER_THAT_RUNS_XPOLOG] - nofile [MAX_NUMBER_OF_FILES]
  Where
  [USER_THAT_RUNS_XPOLOG] is the user who you are using to run the XpoLog process (superuser, if you logged in as such).
  [MAX_NUMBER_OF_FILES] is the new limitation that has to be set to 10000.
  For instance, you can add the line: xpolog - nofile 10000

To allocate the required number of processes:

• Log in to the machine that runs XpoLog, as superuser if needed, and edit the file /etc/security/limits.conf, by adding the following line:
  [USER_THAT_RUNS_XPOLOG] - nproc [MAX_NUMBER_OF_PROCESSES]
  Where
  [USER_THAT_RUNS_XPOLOG] is the user who you are using to run the XpoLog process (superuser, if you logged in as such).
  [MAX_NUMBER_OF_PROCESSES] is the new limitation that has to be set to 10000.
  For instance, you can add the line: xpolog - nproc 10000

IMPORTANT: After making this change, log out and then log in again so that the changes take effect, verify by getting 10000 as a result of running 'ulimit -n' and 'ulimit -u' again using the same user which runs XpoLog, and then restart XpoLog.

Solaris Specific - Allocating Allowed Open Files 

It is very important to allocate 10,000 allowed open files to XpoLog that runs on Solaris (default is usually 1024). 

To check the limitation for the user who runs XpoLog:

1. Open SSH terminal to XpoLog's machine and log in using the same user that runs XpoLog (for example, Putty).
2. Run the command: 'ulimit -a'
   The recommended output should be 10000.

To allocate the required number of open files:

• Log in to the machine that runs XpoLog, as superuser if needed, and edit the file /etc/security, by adding the following line:
  set rlim_fd_max = [MAX_NUMBER_OF_FILES]
  Where
  [MAX_NUMBER_OF_FILES] is the new limitation that has to be set to 10000.

• Once the above hard limit is set reboot the system once. You can then increase the value of this property explicitly (up to this limit) using the following command:
  ulimit -n [MAX_NUMBER_OF_FILES]

  
  IMPORTANT: After making this change, log out and then log in again so that the changes take effect, verify by getting 10000 as a result of running 'ulimit -a' again using the same user which is used to run XpoLog, and then restart XpoLog.

WAR Deployment Specific - Configuring XpoLog to Storage 

It is highly recommended to configure XpoLog that is deployed as a war on an application server to an external configuration directory (storage) - instructions are available at the top of this page.
In case you need to update your XpoLog version, the war file will be replaced and if an external storage is not configured all the data and configuration will be removed.