Configure SmarterStats 5.x for load balanced servers

In web farm or cluster, multiple servers will have logs generated on each server. It is often the case where one would want to consolidate these logs onto one master server. SmarterStats 5.x supports multiple log locations for each site while versions below this require external tools.

1. Log into SmarterStats through your web browser

   

2. Enter the necessary information:
   • Site ID: enter your domain name without the www, for example, domainname.com
   • Username: your_username
   • Password: your_password
3. Click Login
4. Click Sites and check the box next to the domain you wish to modify and select Edit

   

5. Click Add Log Location

   

   • If the site is configured in IIS, click the Import settings from IIS and select the site from the list. This will import the log location

     

   • If not fill out the following wizard
     • Log Wildcard: log file extension (e.g *.log)
     • Full Path: location of the log files (e.g C:\logs)
     • Auto-Deletion: how often you wish to delete the generated logs
   • Click Save
6. Follow steps 4 – 5 to add as many log locations as you have servers. For remote servers, you would use a UNC path to connect to, (e.g \\path\to\remote\server\logs\)
7. Once your log locations are configured, there are specific permission changes that need to be made on certain directories and services.
   • Create a Windows user for the SmarterStats service: (e.g. stats_user)
     • This user needs to be added on all servers involved.
     • The same username and password is used on each server
   • Configure the SmarterStats service to run as this user
     • Open Services by going to the Start menu → Administrative Tools → Services

       

     • Right click the SmarterStats Service and select Properties

       

     • Click the Log On tab and select This account radio button. Now enter the user you create in Step 7-a

       

   • Add this new user to the needed SmarterStats directories
     • Processed log directory (e.g C:\SmarterLogs\Weblogs\)
     • Raw log directories (C:\Logs)
     • Installation directory (C:\program files\SmarterTools\SmarterStats)
   • Follow the steps to apply a user's permissions to a folder
     • Right Click the folder and select properties of the folder
     • Select the Security tab and select Edit
     • Select the Add button and place your SmarterStats user in textbox (e.g stats_user)

       

   • Click the check box for Modify
   • Click OK
8. Repeat step 7-f for the remaining folders