To ensure the smooth running of your web servers, it is crucial to constantly monitor their performance and troubleshoot any issues that arise. One of the tools at your disposal for this task is an IIS (Internet Information Services) log analyzer tool. These tools help you monitor your Microsoft IIS servers by analyzing the logs and providing insights into the server's performance.

What is IIS Log Analysis?

IIS log analysis is the process of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data from IIS server logs. It helps in identifying issues, understanding user behavior, and improving the performance and security of your servers.

Top IIS Log Analyzer Tools in 2023

Datadog Log Management

Datadog offers a comprehensive log management solution that supports IIS log analysis. It allows you to centralize your logs from various sources and provides detailed insights using its robust analysis features.

With Datadog, you can monitor real-time data, set up alerts for specific events, and use the built-in machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and anomalies. It also supports log retention and archiving, ensuring you can access your data when needed.

python

Example of sending an IIS log to Datadog

from datadog import initialize, api

options = { 'api_key': '<DATADOG_API_KEY>', 'app_key': '<DATADOG_APP_KEY>' }

initialize(**options)

title = "My IIS log" text = 'This is a sample IIS log' tags = ['version:1', 'application:web']

api.Event.create(title=title, text=text, tags=tags)

Microsoft Log Parser

Microsoft Log Parser is a powerful, versatile tool that provides universal query access to text-based data such as log files, XML files, and CSV files, as well as key data sources on the Windows operating system.

It uses a simple SQL-like language to query your logs and supports custom scripting, allowing you to tailor the tool to your needs. However, it lacks a graphical user interface and requires more technical skills to use effectively.

sql -- Example of querying an IIS log with Microsoft Log Parser LOGPARSER "SELECT cs-uri-stem, count() as Total FROM ex.log WHERE sc-status=200 GROUP BY cs-uri-stem ORDER BY Total DESC"

Loggly

Loggly is a cloud-based log management service that supports IIS log analysis. It offers features like real-time monitoring, log retention, and comprehensive search capabilities.

Loggly's user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process make it an excellent choice for those new to log analysis. It also offers integrations with popular tools like Slack and GitHub, allowing you to streamline your workflow.

bash

Example of sending an IIS log to Loggly

curl -X POST -H "content-type:application/json" -d '{"event": "my event", "level": "info"}' http://logs-01.loggly.com/inputs/your-customer-token/tag/http/

Conclusion

Choosing the right IIS log analyzer tool depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical skills. Datadog, Microsoft Log Parser, and Loggly are all excellent options, each with their own strengths. By understanding these tools and their features, you can make an informed decision and improve the performance and security of your servers.