Client Management Suite

I am trying to troubleshoot an issue with tasks in 7.5 SP1 and when attempting to check the Task Server log (Program Files\Altiris\Altiris Agent\Client Task Server\logs\taskmanagement.log) I found it empty (zero byte file). Also Altiris.ClientTask.CSLogFile.config did not exist up one directory. Has the Task Server log changed since 7.1?

I did try creating the CSLogFile.config with the same contents as 7.1 and restarting the Task Server but it didn't log anything.

Hi,

In 7.5 task server logs format has been changed to be compatible with the NS and Agent logs. Please use NS log viewer of SMA log viewer to review messages from the TS components - look for messages from atrshost.exe or CTAdataloader.exe modules (you may copy logs from the remote TS to NS and import them to the NS log viewer as it is easier to review logs in it than in SMA diagnostics log).

Thank you,

Alex.

Or you can install "Altiris Log Viewer" on remote Site Servers to obtain their log output more user-friendly

• https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/diagnostics-pack-75

Thanks. I just ran the NS log viewer via UNC on the Task Server and it works fine.

Another question: how do I increase the logging level now? Currently it logs almost nothing to do with individual tasks except image deployment tasks. I've tried HKLM\Software\Altiris\Altiris Agent\Event Logging\LogFile\Severity (to 255 from 7) but that doesn't seem to do the trick.

Did you set to store more than 10 log files and also change max size of log files?

(to do not overwrite existing previous log)

• http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO2451

Did you enable through "Altiris Log VIewer" Options to show "Verbose" and "Trace" levels?

I did not set MaxFiles and MaxSize (just did that now) but I have log files back almost 24 hours so I don't think that's the issue. I did have verbose and trace checked and I see a very few verbose log entries, but nothing like what I was expecting. I was hoping to see entries for every task and there is nothing for any tasks except image deployment (which has MANY entries with network info, etc all at the informational level). Do I need to increase Severity to 255 on the NS as well to see full task entries?

Just to clarify:

You're checking log output on client side, where client task agent is executing delivered client task?

• Assume that if there will be a "Task Server" type of task, then it will throw output in log on Task Server, where it executes and if there is a "Client Task", then log output will be thrown on client computer, where it executes.

No, I am checking for "Client Tasks" being routed through the Task Server. For instance I am having a problem where the NS reports it is waiting for the agent to receive the task, and the client reports that it has no pending tasks. I want to check the Task Server logs and see it trying to contact the client to initiate the task. It appears to me that this action just isn't logged at all on the Task Server? How should I troubleshoot issues where I suspect the Task Server is not routing tasks properly?

Hi,

To see additional information about the task instance processing on a remote task server please add the next registry keys on the corresponding site-server:

1. Create registry branch: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Altiris\TaskManagement\Logging]

2. add Dword keys (set 1 as a value): TaskExecution, BaseClientTaskReporting, InstanceStateKeeperEngine

As I understood, you are on 7.5.SP1 code, so you do not need to restart any service, just wait for 1 minute (with 7.5 you should restart atrshost service after keys were added).

Now, if you will run task to some client and such client assigned to Task Server with additional logging turned-on, then you should see detailed task processing events in task server log, like:

=================

(Start) starting task instance 'MyTask' (46cd8e46-0f63-452f-bcd5-b992f23dab24), thread=48304161 (20)

Execute task instance 46cd8e46-0f63-452f-bcd5-b992f23dab24 on resource 539fac8f-69fb-46f6-a9ce-54edc404b645

(Sent) task sent to client: 46cd8e46-0f63-452f-bcd5-b992f23dab24, resource=539fac8f-69fb-46f6-a9ce-54edc404b645, reseting timeout to 7/31/2014 12:25:08 PM

Task instance ac8dc58e-3cf6-4967-b9ef-de0898bfefeb is successfully with return value: 0

=================

"MyTask" is a task name in NS console.

Thank you,

Alex.

This sounds like exactly what I was looking for, thank you. Unfortunately it's not quite working like you describe. When I added those keys I did get one additional new verbose log entry, "Task Execution Engine 'Process' event received..." which happens whenever a task is started. I don't get the task instance log messages you describe, however, which is what I need. I tried restarting the Task Server just in case with no effect. I am indeed on 7.5 SP1.

Edit: Nevermind, I figured it out. I had set Severity to 255 Hex instead of 255 Decimal. I am seeing the instance log entries now. Thanks again.

No prob, glad it works :)