How to change log4j.properties logging dynamically without restarting ZENworks services

  • 7016296
  • 11-Mar-2015
  • 11-Mar-2015

Environment

Novell ZENworks Configuration Management 11.3

Situation

Prior to 11.3, to change ZENworks services logging for troubleshooting required a change to log4j.properties and restart of services.  After 11.3 VisualVM can be used to do this dynamically without restarting services.  This is helpful if restarting services would change a behavior being looked at.

Resolution

  1. Follow the documentation to set up VisualVM https://www.novell.com/documentation/zenworks113/zen11_cm_deployment_bp/data/b19nhqvr.html
  2. Backup then make required changes to  log4j.properties file
    /opt/novell/zenworks/share/tomcat/conf
    %ZENWORKS_HOME%\tomcat\conf

    NOTE: remember to make the file location correct for your zenhome.
  3. Bring up VisualVM 
  4. Enable MBeans and add the JMX connection per the documentation above.
  5. Open com.novell.zenworks.diagnostics.mbeans
  6. Open DMCache
  7. Open DataModelSessionInfo
  8. Click on ReloadLog4jConfiguration