Viewing the Installation Log and Installed Files

Log files are a critical piece of the computer administration architecture. Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server keep log files in various locations:

• /var/log/

• /Library/Logs/

• your-username/Library/Logs/

You can view these log files locally with the Console application located in /Applications/Utilities/. Currently, the Console application doesn't allow remote viewing of log files, so if you wish to view the log files on your server from a remote location, you must ssh into the server and read the files via the command line.

Log files are especially useful during the installation process. When you're installing locally, you have the option of viewing errors during installation or viewing everything taking place during the installation, from the mounting of disks to the cleaning up of temporary files, which takes place after all packages have been installed. To view the install log remotely, run the tail f command on the system log. Doing so will show the installation's progress and any errors that may crop up during the process.

To run the tail command on the system log during remote installation:

1.	Open the Terminal application on the remote Macintosh.
2.	ssh into your server prior to clicking the Install button in the Server Assistant: ssh root@your-server's-current-ip-address
3.	Type tail f /var/log/system.log.
4.	Open a new Terminal window, and perform steps 5 and 6 of the previous task, "To install Mac OS X Server from a remote Macintosh using the command line."
5.	View the system log in the first Terminal window as the software is being installed on your server.