Network based logging services provide system administrators with an important tool for diagnosing a variety of problems. There is no standard way to do logging. The ULP Working group is devising a single very simple protocol which will allow interoperable logging for the Internet. Another task is thedefinition of a structured logging format which will provide for tagged log files with standard definitions. An API provided for informational purposes will allow for source compatibility of ULP implementations and an effort will be made here to support binary compatibility with well deployed applications. We also address internationalization of logs, how ULP should interact with network management and security mechanisms for providing mutual authentication of logging clients and servers as well as confidentiality of log entries transmitted over networks.
The primary goal of the working group is to provide a standards track logging protocol specification and a standards track logging format document. An informational API document will also be produced.
Dec 97 Discuss objectives, terminology and scope of a
Universal Logging Protocol.
Feb 98 Submit ULM (Universal Logging Message format) draft
to the IESG for publication as a Proposed Standard.
Apr 98 Submit an internet draft describing requirements for
Universal Logging. This must take into consideration
Security, Internationalization, Network Management and
compatibility with existing logging mechanisms.
Mar 99 Submit ULAPI (Universal Logging API) draft to the
IESG for publication as an Informational RFC.
Mar 99 Submit ULP (Universal Logging Protocol) draft to the
IESG for publication as a Proposed Standard.