cron job runs but will not write to logfile

c_curtis · 06-26-2006, 11:11 AM

I have a cron job that runs everyday at set time--the job executes and runs but will not write to a logfile--0k. The kicker is that when I run the job manually it works and logs just fine. I am grateful for any help at this point.

unSpawn · 06-26-2006, 12:00 PM

Hello there and welcome to LQ. Hope you like it here.

the job executes and runs but will not write to a logfile
If it prints to stdout then the report could be in the email (of the crontab user).
If it's not in the email then try appending "2>&1>>/some/logfile" to the crontab line and see if that fixes it.
Else if it doesn't print to stdout, does it have a logfile writing flag?
If it does, does the user you run it as (crontab user) has the permission to write to the logfile?
Else please post what app this is about.

c_curtis · 06-26-2006, 12:45 PM

Thanks for the suggestion--unfortunately it did not work. The app in question is Avast antivirus. I know there are ALOT of people that will tell me that AV is not needed or "why bother with AV on Linux" but it is a necessity in this situation.

unSpawn · 06-26-2006, 01:13 PM

Thanks for the suggestion
Which one? There's a few of them (and questions as well). Please read carefully.

timmeke · 06-27-2006, 03:08 AM

AntiVirus will most likely be run as root user.
Have you set up mail for root properly? In some cases, for instance, a mail alias is used to send root's e-mails off to a "real" user.

Also, if it works manually, but not from cron, one of my first suspects is usually the environment variables.
Cron jobs use their own environment settings, so please check if the variables you use are properly set.

SlackDaemon · 06-27-2006, 03:37 AM

Check if your /etc/syslog.conf file has the following line added:

cron.* /var/log/cron

cheers!

*EDIT*

whoops! didn't look through your second sentence so probably that entry is ok.

c_curtis · 06-28-2006, 09:14 AM

Thanks for all the help -- I believe everything is set up correctly. hmmm. Here is what I have going on -----

*/7 * * * * /home/user/name0.sh >/var/log/avast4/opt.log 2>&1

#!/bin/bash
/bin/avastcmd -p3 /opt > /var/log/avast4/opt.log

unSpawn · 06-28-2006, 09:53 AM

avastcmd -r logfile?

timmeke · 06-28-2006, 10:10 AM

Is the directory /var/log/avast4 writable for your user? Or is the cron job run as root?

c_curtis · 06-30-2006, 08:12 AM

I have finally figured out the problem. There is a bug when trying to run avastcmd with cron. The people @ avast have sent me the "fix" and I am going to try it today. I will report back with any pertinent information.

Thanks for all of the help.

Chad

c_curtis · 06-30-2006, 09:25 AM

The fix consisted of a new exe--once untarred and set up everything works. Again, thanks for all input.

Chad