how to configure automatic log management on rak lorawan® gateways

Configure automatic system log cleanup on RAK LoRaWAN gateways to avoid storage issues and maintain reliable performance.

This tutorial shows how to adjust log retention settings, buffer size, and expiration policies in WisGateOS 2 to ensure optimal uptime for field deployments.

How It Works

The system regularly checks log files and deletes those that exceed the configured retention period.

If available SD card space falls below 20 MB, it triggers a forced cleanup to prevent storage issues and maintain system stability.

Configuration

1. Log in to the gateway's web interface.

2. Go to Settings > General Settings > System Log.
3. Configure the following parameters:

• Buffer Size (KiB): Enter the maximum in-memory log buffer size (e.g., 64)
• Log Expiration: Select a retention period from the dropdown menu:
  • 14 days
  • 1 month
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 12 months

4. Click Save to apply the configuration.

FAQs

1. Does this feature affect logs sent to a remote server (e.g., via syslog)?
   No, remote log forwarding and local log rotation are independent. This feature only manages logs stored on the SD card.
2. What happens when the SD card is nearly full?
   The system triggers a forced cleanup, deleting the oldest log files one by one until at least 20 MB of free space is available. This ensures stable operation without removing all logs.
3. Should I still enable log expiration if I already send logs to a remote server?
   Yes, it’s recommended to keep a local copy as a backup in case the remote server becomes unreachable.
4. Where are logs stored on the SD card?
   Logs are saved to the SD card under the path: /mnt/mmcblk0p1/syslog/. You can access Settings > General Settings > File Browser to download the historical log files.

Updated October 31, 2025 15:42