Logging (and a few other bits)

[elfidge]

Hi all,

I recently replaced my Thecus N2520 with the A302T, for many reasons. I'm incredibly happy with my purchase, however, I have a few things that would be nice to have:

1) Logging in Activity Monitor

The Thecus wasn't a very well developed product, but it did include substantial logging. This is useful for trending, troubleshooting and general information. Specifically my request is surrounding the Activity Monitor (top). Thecus enabled collection of logs that could be kept for a specified period for Activity Monitor, which was really useful. I have currently no way of seeing what the CPU, Disk and Network have been doing and what may be causing issues etc. This should output to a graph that can have the scale modified. Pretty standard stuff.

This could be implemented by a checkbox on each tab of the app (enable logging), with a schedule next to it. A second area for altering the scale could be added.

2) Logging of Backups

For Backups, a log option of normal, or debug information will at least provide information on when the last backup occurred and whether it was a success.
There's no tab in the External Backup that shows "Last Status".

3) Schedules

I like having the ability to schedule lots of things, but there's no central area for this. It'd be useful to have all scheduled tasks in a specific area - either a separate app, or place it in Settings. The existing location for all schedules can be kept (eg. bad sector scanning, system settings scheduled export etc.), but just replicate all these in a central area so it's visible how it's all setup. I can then get immediate visibility of all tasks to ensure nothing overlaps - such as running a backup at the same time as a bad sector scan.

Colour code this in a calendar-style view for even greater usability.

4) Activity Monitor

I think some of the information from the "Information" app could be located in Activity Monitor, and also logged for the same purposes as above.
Temperatures of HDDs and CPU would be useful to know, as well as fan speed. This would just be an additional tab called the obvious.
I guess I'm trying to make the Activity Monitor a more fully-fleshed app!

Otherwise I think it's a great unit and one of the best on the market that I've tried.

Thanks

[Shawn.S@AST]

Hi Elfidge,

Thanks for the great suggestions!!!

We are thinking of some widgets for showing the system information and others, and your ideas have propelled us to check if we miss anything!

Thanks once again and we will for sure bear in mind these suggestions!

[Daneel]

I agree!

[Charlie Brown]

+1 On centralizing all scheduled tasks in one view.

[MikeG.6.5]

Many thanks for Charlie Brown for dredging this up!

It brings to mind that this is still not in the ADM yet. Widgets for status of the CPU, HDD, Network activity, all able to be clicked on to get more information. Clicking CPU shows active processes, and what the heavy use apps are. HDD shows current writing and reading as well as used and available. Network showing what apps are using how much bandwidth. These are just a few examples of what could be provided. This is by no means ALL that should be built into the ADM widgets.

As far as logging, it would be great to log specific events, and configuring those events based on individual requirements. For example, if someone logs in to do an ownCloud transaction, that activity gets logged if it's setup to do so. Streaming media should log the file name, path and user if available.

It would be a great benefit to have a centralized place to view all tasks in the cron file, and allow the admin to add tasks to this as required.

It's frustrating as all get out having to do some things through the ADM and other things through a shell or terminal window. If it's on the disk, the ADM should be able to give the administrator access to the functionality. If it's ont eh disk the admin should be able to look at the files and folder structure. To access log files or change configurations, or whatever is needed through the ADM itself, and not through a program that's not listed as a requirement on the product's manuals or box.