KB16162: How to enable IBM WebSphere Application Server HTTP error log

The IBM WebSphere Application Server HTTP error log allows administrators to capture error logs at different levels (e.g. critical, error, warning, information, and debug). To enable the IBM WebSphere Application Server error log for troubleshooting purposes, follow the steps below:
 

• Navigate to Servers > Application Servers > server1 > Web Container Settings > Web Container Transport Chains > HTTP Inbound Channel > HTTP error and NCSA access logging.
  
  Tip: A shortcut is Servers > Application Servers > server1 > HTTP error and NCSA access logging.
  
   
  
• Check 'Enable service at server startup' and 'Enable error logging' as shown below:
  

• Set the location of the log file. By default, the error logs will be saved in ${SERVER_LOG_ROOT}/http_error.log.
• Specify the logs maximum size.
• Specify the error level:
   
  
• Critical: Logs only errors that stop WebSphere Application Server from functioning properly.
• Error: Logs errors that deal with responses to clients that are logged. If the error is caused by server configurations settings, it will require intervention from the WebSphee Application Server.
• Warning: Logs general errors (e.g. socket exceptions).
• Information: Logs status of various tasks performed while handling requests.
• Debug: Logs verbose task status. Warning: This level requires a large log file size and may impact performance.
• Apply the changes.
• Save the changes to the master repository.
• Restart IBM WebSphere Application Server for the changes to take place.