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Microsoft Dynamics AX (Archived)

Alternatives to database log

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Hi All, we are looking at adding some fields to Database Log...wanted to know peoples experience with utilizing Database log for audit...or if there is any other way to capture audit on specific fields

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  • Verified answer
    guk1964 Profile Picture
    10,888 on at

    Database log is fine for monitoring parameters.

    Be wary about monitoring  data - (don't use it all for transactions they write to too many tables and logs.)

    Be careful what fields you log if you update things like costs and prices regularly , or regularly add new items in a fashion or industry.

    Don't switch on database logging on those fields where  if you have not finished loading master data.

    Master planning can also flood the log is you monitor invent table.

    Consider use of electronic signature to prevent problems and reduce the need to log.

    Ludwig's site has a very good post on database log that you should look up.

    When you set up database logging on a table where the table property has "Save data per company = Yes", the log details are  found in the same company where the Create Update Delete operations are made.

    When you set database logging on a table where the table property "Save data per company = No", the log details are found in the DAT company.

    Now the bad news

    It can your system.  So think about database logging early in the project when designing the solution and make sure you develop/test with database logging activated.

    When you activate the database log for a certain table, aset-based operations are converted to row-based operations, as confirmed by MSDN:

    When you enable logging  for a table, all database operations that would be set-based are downgraded to row-based operations.  For example, when logging inserts for a table, each insert is performed as a row-based insert.

    So activating the database log on a table will cause all code that uses the skip* methods to  call to these methods will be ignored.  With the database log active, records can potentially be deleted that should not have been deleted.

    Do not use database logging because you do not trust your employees or as a form of “security”.

    When activating the database log for a table, pay close attention to the TableGroup property of the table.

    It OK to use the database log on tables with table group Main, Group and Parameter.

    Skipping data methods and delete actions is bad practice, so don't go down that route, (there are places in which standard AX does this and these are not documented. )

    When you set database logging on a table where the table property "Save data per company = No", the log details are found in the DAT company

    Consider www.arbelatech.com/.../audit-security-manager-asm.html

    You can also get a lot of info from SQL.

    There is an undocumented function called "fn_dblog" which enables you to read data from your transaction log which contains very informative data about things that are happening in your database. Also the function fn_dump_dblog"  but I don't like unsupported functions so better to consider a commercial tool like www.sqlserverlogexplorer.com/restore

    Last comment is test first.

  • Verified answer
    Ludwig Reinhard Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on at

    Hi Ed_Gil,

    As long as you are not logging transactional data the database log is a good tool for auditing purposes.

    Logging transactional data such as invoices, POs and alike might have some effects on your system performance.

    Best regards,

    Ludwig

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    on at

    awesome thanks!

  • Ludwig Reinhard Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on at

    Hi Ed_Gil,

    If there is nothing else open then it would be great if you could verify the answers.

    Many thanks and best regards,

    Ludwig

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    on at

    Awesome...thanks

  • IMIR Profile Picture
    15 on at

    We are pleased to present a solution that we have been working on for more than a year - "Advanced Database Log"

    appsource.microsoft.com/.../naviconuk.advanced_database_log

    Se more on our youtube channel: www.youtube.com/.../videos

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