Nagios Log Server Quick Start Guide

Nagios Log Server is an enterprise-grade log management and analysis solution that centralizes collection, searching, alerting, and visualization of log data across your entire infrastructure. It provides comprehensive insight into system events, application errors, and security issues, helping teams identify issues faster and ensure compliance and security.

This quick start guide walks you through adding log sources, searching logs, creating dashboards, configuring alerts, managing users, and more.

1. Add a Log Source

To begin collecting logs, navigate to the green “+” icon on the left sidebar. From there, select the type of log source you’d like to start receiving from.

Once selected, each source type provides a guided configuration that explains how to send logs to your Nagios Log Server.

Best Practices:

• Use consistent port numbers and formats across all devices.
• Verify log flow after adding each source.
• Tag each host for easy identification in dashboards.

The video below provides a guided walk-through that covers how to add and verify log sources in Nagios Log Server.

2. Simple Mode vs. Advanced Mode Homepage

Simple Layout
The Simple layout focuses on quick, everyday searches.
It includes:

• A central search bar.
• One-click filters such as Sendmail, 300, 401, 500, MySQL Errors, and Network Outages.
• Fast query results with minimal setup.

Use Simple layout when you need to quickly check logs, validate incoming sources, or perform basic troubleshooting.

Advanced Layout

The Advanced layout displays a detailed system overview and full search functionality.
It includes:

• Log volume graphs and performance charts.
• System Health metrics like Unique Hosts, Active Alerts, and Disk Usage.
• Historical statistics and trend visualizations.

You can switch between layouts by selecting Simple Search or Advanced Search in the top right corner by clicking on the profile icon.

How to Switch

• Switch between layouts by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner and selecting Simple or Advanced. This instantly changes the home page layout.
• Tip: this is also where you can change your theme.

3. Creating Custom Queries in Log Server

Custom queries let you quickly filter and analyze logs for faster troubleshooting. Access them under Dashboards > Custom Queries to view templates like 404 Errors or SSH and create your own for targeted searches.

Queries can be saved, edited, or removed at any time for flexible log analysis and also form the basis for alerts.

Best Practices:

• Create queries for frequent or critical issues.
• Use Global queries for team visibility.
• Remove outdated or unused queries regularly.

The video below provides a guided walk-through that covers how to create and manage custom queries in Nagios Log Server.

Here is documentation for analyzing logs:

How To Analyze Logs in Nagios Log Server 2024R2

4. Configuring Alerts in Log Server

Alerts in Nagios Log Server are triggered when specific log patterns or thresholds are detected. Access them from the Alerting tab to view, create, or manage alerts.

You can choose from Query, Real-Time, or Host Freshness alert types, each designed to monitor different conditions. When an alert is triggered, notifications can be sent via email, SNMP traps, or custom scripts depending on your configuration.

Best Practices:

• Use Query alerts for recurring issues like SSH or HTTP errors.
• Set appropriate check intervals to balance accuracy and performance.
• Regularly review alert results and update thresholds as needed.

The video below provides a guided walk-through that covers how to create and manage alerts in Nagios Log Server.

Here is documentation for alerting on events:

Alerting on Log Events in Nagios Log Server 2024R2 and 2026

5. Configuring Email Notifications in Log Server

Email notifications inform you when alerts are triggered in Nagios Log Server.
Go to Profile to set your notification email, then open Admin > General > Mail Settings to configure SMTP details.

You can configure SMTP details for Gmail, Outlook, or other mail providers to receive alert notifications directly in your inbox.

The video below provides a guided walk-through that covers how to set up email notifications in Nagios Log Server.

6. Managing Users in Log Server

User management in Nagios Log Server R2 enhances security by controlling access and permissions across your environment. Access this feature by going to Admin > Management > User Management.

From here, you can create new users or import existing ones from LDAP or Active Directory. Roles and permissions determine whether a user can view, edit, or delete alerts, notifications, contacts, and configuration settings. Admins have full access to all system functions, while standard users are limited to the permissions assigned to them.

You can also restrict host visibility for specific users, ensuring they only see the hosts relevant to their role, and enable or disable external API access as needed.

Best Practices:

• Assign the lowest level of access necessary for each role.
• Use LDAP or AD for centralized authentication.
• Regularly audit user accounts and permissions.
• Limit host visibility for non-admin users.

The video below provides a guided walk-through that covers how to create, import, and manage users in Nagios Log Server.

Conclusion

Nagios Log Server provides centralized log collection, powerful search capabilities, and customizable dashboards to help you monitor and analyze system events with ease.
This quick start guide equips you to add log sources, create queries, configure alerts, set up notifications, and manage users efficiently.

Start simple, scale as needed, and refer to the Nagios Log Server Admin Guide or schedule a Quickstart session to get professional assistance with setup and configuration.

For additional help, visit the Nagios Support Forum or visit Nagios Library