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Configure first failure data capture log file purges

The First Failure Data Capture (FFDC) log file saves information generated from a processing failure. These files are deleted after a maximum number of days has passed. The captured data is saved in a log file for analyzing the problem.

The FFDC feature preserves the information generated from a processing failure and returns control to the affected engines. The captured data is saved in a log file for analyzing the problem. FFDC is intended primarily for use by IBM Support. FFDC instantly collects events and errors that occur during the product run time. The information is captured as it occurs and is written to a log file that can be analyzed by IBM Support personnel.

The FFDC configuration properties files are located in the properties directory under WAS installation. Set the ExceptionFileMaximumAge property to the same value in all three files:

We can set the ExceptionFileMaximumAge property to configure the days between purging the FFDC log files. The value of the ExceptionFileMaximumAge property must be a positive number. The FFDC feature does not affect the performance of WAS.

Configure the number of days between the FFDC log file purges. The value is in days.

  1. Edit...

      app_server_root/properties/ffdcRun.properties

  2. Change the value for the ExceptionFileMaximumAge property to the number of days between the FFDC log file purges. The value of the ExceptionFileMaximumAge property must be a positive number. The default is seven days. For example, ExceptionFileMaximumAge = 3 sets the default time to three days. The FFDC log file is purged after three days.

  3. Save the ffdcRun.properties file and exit.

  4. Repeat the previous steps to modify the ffdcStart.properties and ffdcStop.properties files.


Results

The FFDC file management function removes the FFDC log files that have reached the maximum age and generates a message in the SystemOut.log file.

IBM recommends using the HPEL log and trace infrastructure. With HPEL, one views logs using the LogViewer command-line tool in PROFILE/bin.


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