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Asked: 2024-09-24T05:39:11+05:30 In:

How can I address the issue of a large /var/log/journal directory in Ubuntu, and what steps should I take to manage the size of the journal logs effectively?

So, I’m running into a bit of a snag with my Ubuntu system, and I could really use some advice. My /var/log/journal directory is absolutely ballooning in size. I mean, it’s like a never-ending pit of logs, and I’m starting to get pretty worried about running out of space on my disk. I did some initial digging and found that the journal logs are pretty helpful for tracking down issues, but I definitely don’t need a million logs piling up, especially since I’m not actively debugging anything at the moment.

I’ve heard that the systemd journal can be configured to limit the size of these log files, but I’m not sure where to start. How do I even check how big this directory is getting? I’d assume it’s probably gremlins in there logging everything from my startup to every minor error, but I can’t confirm that without some guidance.

I came across some commands like `journalctl` that seem useful, but I feel a bit lost when it comes to actually limiting the log size. Should I set a maximum size for the journal logs, or maybe change how long they’re retained? What’s the difference between those options?

Also, is it wise to just delete old logs to free up space? I’m a bit hesitant to do that since I know they can be helpful if something goes wrong. But honestly, if it means saving my system from getting cramped, I might have to take the plunge.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s dealt with a similar issue. What steps did you take to effectively manage the size of the journal logs? Did you find any specific settings or configurations particularly useful? Any insights or tips would be super appreciated—thanks!

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    2 Answers


    1. To manage the size of your /var/log/journal directory in Ubuntu, you can start by checking the current size of your journal logs. You can do this with the command du -sh /var/log/journal, which will provide you with a human-readable summary of the directory size. Additionally, you can utilize journalctl --disk-usage to view how much disk space your journal logs are currently consuming. If you determine that the logs are indeed taking up too much space, you have a couple of options for configuring the systemd journal’s behavior. You can set a maximum size for the journal logs in the configuration file /etc/systemd/journald.conf by adjusting parameters like SystemMaxUse or SystemMaxFileSize. This ensures that the journal does not occupy more than a specified amount of disk space.

      Apart from size limits, you can also configure the retention period for log entries by modifying the SystemMaxFileSec option, which controls how long the logs are kept. If you decide to delete old logs, you can use journalctl --vacuum-time=7d to remove logs older than 7 days, which can help free up space without completely discarding useful information. Remember, keeping some logs is valuable for troubleshooting, so balance your configuration settings to ensure you have enough historical data without overwhelming your system’s storage. Following these steps will help you maintain a tidy log system while also preserving efficient debugging capabilities when necessary.




    2. Managing Systemd Journal Logs on Ubuntu

      Managing Journal Logs Size on Ubuntu

      It sounds like you’ve got quite the log buildup! No worries, you’re definitely not alone in this. Here’s a simple way to tackle it:

      Check Your Log Size

      First up, you can check how big your journal logs are getting with this command:

      du -sh /var/log/journal

      This will give you a quick summary of the size. If it’s massive, we’ll need to take some action.

      Limit Journal Log Size

      Yes, you can definitely limit the size of your journal logs! Look for a file called journal.conf under:

      /etc/systemd/journald.conf

      If it doesn’t exist, it’s all good—you can create it!

      Settings to Adjust

      Here are some settings you might want to add or change in journald.conf:

      • SystemMaxUse=100M – Limits total disk space the journal may use.
      • SystemKeepFree=50M – Ensures that at least this much disk space is always free.
      • SystemMaxFileSize=20M – Caps the size of individual journal files.
      • MaxRetentionSec=1week – Only keeps logs for a week.

      Just uncomment these lines (remove the # at the beginning) and set your desired values.

      Deleting Old Logs

      About deleting old logs, you can do that using:

      sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=2d

      This command will remove logs older than 2 days. You can tweak that time to suit your needs. If you really want to free up space, this is a safe way to do it without worrying too much.

      Final Thoughts

      It’s good to keep logs for troubleshooting, but if they’re overwhelming, it’s fine to set some limits. Usually, limiting the size and setting a retention period is a happy medium.

      After making changes in journald.conf, don’t forget to restart the journald service to apply the settings:

      sudo systemctl restart systemd-journald

      Hope this helps you get your logs under control! Happy logging!


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