Cronolog reads a log stream from standard input and writes it to files named from a date-and-time template. With Apache, it can keep access and error logs in separate dated files and directories. For a new Apache HTTP Server 2.4 setup, however, Apache describes its built-in rotatelogs as the simplest piped-rotation option; Cronolog is most relevant when its filename pattern or an existing deployment calls for it.
How Cronolog logging works
Apache can send a log stream to a separate Cronolog process. Cronolog reads each message from standard input, then writes it to the file whose name matches the configured template. When the date or time fields produce a different filename, output moves to that file. Templates use strftime-style fields, so they can specify a rotation period through the time fields and arrange files in dated directories.
For example, %Y/%m/%d/access.log describes a year/month/day directory hierarchy ending in access.log. Cronolog’s documentation says it creates missing directories by default, unless it was built with -DDONT_CREATE_SUBDIRS.
Configure Cronolog for Apache
The documented Apache pattern starts one Cronolog process for each log stream:
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TransferLog "|/www/sbin/cronolog /www/logs/%Y/%m/%d/access.log"
ErrorLog "|/www/sbin/cronolog /www/logs/%Y/%m/%d/errors.log"Replace the executable and log-directory paths with locations appropriate to your server. The first directive routes access messages and the second routes error messages. A path such as /www/logs/1996/12/31/access.log illustrates the resulting structure; that date is an example from the README, not a current or expected date.
Before using the configuration, check that Cronolog is installed at the executable path, the Apache configuration accepts the directives, and the service can write to the intended log location. Validate the Apache configuration using the command appropriate to your installation before reloading or restarting the service.
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Choose a rotation method for Apache
Cronolog is not Apache’s current preferred method. Apache HTTP Server 2.4 calls its built-in rotatelogs the simplest way to rotate piped logs and says it requires no external tools or server restart. Apache also documents system log management such as logrotate as an alternative in its Log Files guide.
| Option | What it offers | Operational consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Cronolog | External piped-log program; filename template can create date-based names and directory hierarchies. | Requires Cronolog to be installed and the piped command and destination directories to be secured. |
Apache rotatelogs |
Built into Apache; supports time- and size-based rotation and strftime-pattern filenames. |
Apache describes it as the simplest piped-rotation approach; choose its options to match the required time or size trigger. |
logrotate or system log management |
Uses external system log management rather than a piped rotation program. | Apache must be signaled to reopen log files after rotation, commonly with a graceful restart or reload. |
Choose based on the trigger you need (time, size, or both), the required filename and directory layout, whether you want an Apache-built-in or separately installed program, and how the server will reopen files after rotation. See the Apache logging documentation and the rotatelogs reference for Apache’s documented options and behavior.
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Installation and version context
The Debian Sources page linked here packages Cronolog as 1.6.2+rpk-5, while its README labels the upstream program version 1.6.1. Those are version labels for that package and README, not proof of the latest upstream release. The README describes building from source with ./configure, make, and make install, or copying the executable to a suitable directory. It also lists compile-time default file and directory modes of 0664 and 0775; actual behavior can depend on the build and system configuration. Check your operating system’s package sources and the target server before relying on a particular package or installation command. Fedora’s Cronolog package index lists the package, but does not establish availability for every Fedora release.
Protect the log path and piped command
Log rotation is an operational necessity: Apache’s Version 2.4 documentation gives a typical access-log growth estimate of “1 MB or more per 10,000 requests.” This is a general estimate from Apache, not a Cronolog benchmark or a universal rate.
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