How to Open Exchange Log File Using Routing Log Viewer

Transaction log files play a very vital role in Exchange Server as it contains the records of all the changes that were made on Exchange server database. Any changes that were made to an Exchange database is first written on transaction log file later to an Exchange database. So it’s the liability of an Exchange Administrator to keep checking the records in log file and ensuring that Exchange server is running fine without any error or failure. 

So today I am sharing with you the easiest way to open and check transaction log file in Microsoft Exchange, and quick procedure to change credentials to browse through files on a remote Exchange server. Let’s check it-

Use Routing Log Viewer to open Log File

You can open a transaction log file in Exchange server using Routing Log Viewer. However, Routing Log Viewer will not show any log file when you open it first time. You need to browse the file on local server or you can identify the name of a transport server. You can define substitute credentials with which to access the remote routing table logs.

To open a log file, assign the transportpermissions before follow the procedure-

Step 1: Open EMC (Exchange Management Console), and open Open Tool by navigating through Toolbox -> Routing Log Viewer

Step 2: Once Routing Log Viewer appears, open File and click Open log file.

Step 3: Now enter the transport server name in Name of transport server or open Browse server files option and select the preferred server which you want to use, then click Open.

Step 4: If you want to browse through the local server’s log file, leave server name blank on Exchange Hub Transport Server. Or select the file from Browse local files and click Open.

Step 5: In case if you’re browsing file on remote server, you will have to provide the administrative permissions to access remote server. Click Run As for remote browsing on remote server.

Now fill the following boxes and click OK:

•          Use Run As for remote browsing: It is already selected by default. 
•          User Name: Enter alternate username. 
•          Domain: Enter domain of alternate username. 
•          Password: Enter the password.

If you leave all the above fields empty, Routing Log Viewer will use local user’s credentials.

 Change credentials to browse on Remote Server using Routing Log Viewer

Again you need to assign the same permission as you applied in above procedure. Then,

Step 1: Open Open Tool by navigating through EMC (Exchange Management Console) -> Toolbox -> Routing Log Viewer

Step 2: Click Run As from Setting menu from Routing Log Viewer, or select Open log file from File menu.

Step 3: Select Run As from Open Routing Table Log File. Now fill the following boxes and click OK:

•        Use Run As for remote browsing: However, this option is selected here default. But if it isn't, click the checkbox to use alternative credentials as your created when browsing through logs on remote computers. 
•          User Name: Enter alternate username. 
•          Domain: Enter domain of alternate username. 
•          Password: Enter the password.

You would require local administrative permissions on remote server to access the log file directory. That's why you would want to change credentials to browse through files on remote servers.