KB486801: What Is the Retention Period for DSSErrors.log, and How Can It Be Extended?

Introduction

This Knowledge Base article provides a guide for system administrators on how to extend the retention period of the DSSErrors.log file within the Strategy platform. The DSSErrors.log is a critical file that records error events, aiding in the diagnosis and resolution of system issues. This article will offer a step-by-step process to modify these settings, ensuring the DSSErrors.log file is maintained according to organizational policies and facilitating a robust framework for system monitoring and maintenance.
 
The retention period of the DSSErrors.log file within Strategy is governed by the log's file size and the number of backup log files produced. Administrators can regulate the file size through Workstation or by using the Strategy Diagnostics and Performance Logging tool. Additionally, the quantity of backup DSSErrors.log files can be adjusted via a specific registry setting. Under the default configuration, Strategy generates a single DSSErrors.log file. Upon reaching the maximum size set by the configuration, the existing log will be overwritten. This behavior underscores the importance of proper log management to prevent the loss of valuable diagnostic information.

Steps

To alter the DSSErrors.log file size, follow the below steps for either Strategy Workstation or the Strategy Diagnostics and Performance Logging Tool. Please refer to KB14832 for more information.
 

1. Strategy Workstation:
   
1. Open Strategy Workstation and log into your environment
2. Right-click your environment and select "Properties"
3. Navigate to "Log Configuration"
4. Click on the three-dot ellipsis menu and select "Manage File Log Destinations"
5. Find "DSSErrors" in the list
6. Adjust the Max File Size (in MB) accordingly
7. Click on "OK" to save your changes
2. Strategy Diagnostics and Performance Logging Tool:
   
1. Open the Strategy Diagnostics and Performance Logging Tool
2. Under the "Tools" menu, select "Log Destinations"
3. Under the "Select Log Destination" drop-down menu, find "DSSErrors"
4. Adjust the Max File Size (in KB) accordingly
5. Click on "Save" to save your changes

To alter the number of maximum DSSErrors.log files that are generated, follow the below steps. Please refer to KB31201 for more information. 
 

1. Windows Intelligence Server machine:
   
1. Open the Windows Registry Editor
2. Navigate to: 
   

   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Strategy\Log Destinations\DSSErrors

   
   
3. Right-click on the "MaxBackup" key and select "Modify"
4. Set the maximum number of DSSErrors.log files to be backed-up on the machine. The default is set to 1. Ensure that the value is set as a hexadecimal value, for example, "MaxBackup"=dword:00000001
5. Click on "OK" to save your changes
2. Linux Intelligence Server machine:
   
1. Edit the "MSIReg.reg" file with a text editor, this file is located in the Home folder of the Strategy Intelligence Server installation
2. Locate the following entry: 
   

   
   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Strategy\Log Destinations\DSSErrors] 
   

   
   
3. Set the maximum number of DSSErrors.log files to be backed-up on the machine by modifying the "MaxBackup" key. The default is set to 1. Ensure that the value is set as a hexadecimal value, for example, "MaxBackup"=dword:00000001
4. Save the file to save your changes