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My Ubuntu vitual server wen't offline. I rebooted it and now want to debug what happened.

I can browse to /etc/log but if I try cd apache2 it says Permission denied. I'm sure my user account has priviliges. I also tried sudo cd apache2 which gives the the error sudo: cd: command not found

How can I access the apache logs? I also tried via sftp without success

PS I am new to linux and virtual servers, but I am keen to learn everything I can.

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4
  • Try sudo -i then cd apache2.
    – Wilf
    Commented Feb 16, 2014 at 15:45
  • @Wilf it then says -bash: cd: apache2: No such file or directory
    – S..
    Commented Feb 16, 2014 at 16:12
  • sudo su them access
    – vidur punj
    Commented Aug 13, 2017 at 12:22
  • 1
    The logs are located under var not etc. You need to go to /var/log/apache2. If you dont have the rights to enter the folder, open a root terminal. do sudo -i and the go to cd /var/log/apache2 and take a look at the files there. Good luck...
    – s1mmel
    Commented Dec 9, 2019 at 9:43

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
39

You need to add your username to the group adm

sudo usermod -aG adm YourUserName

You can then access the logfiles as normal user without sudo.

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3
  • Thanks, this worked and made me able to actually browse to directory.
    – S..
    Commented Feb 16, 2014 at 18:07
  • 18
    I had to log in / out of my user session for this permission to take effect.
    – Horba
    Commented Jan 29, 2015 at 0:15
  • it working but you Need log-out from ssh and log-in again. then you have access.
    – Khalil DaNish
    Commented Dec 20, 2018 at 6:51
6

Try:

sudo cat /var/log/apache2/error.log
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1
  • Thanks wojox, but is there a more permanent solution? Like being able to navigate to the apache2 folder?
    – S..
    Commented Feb 16, 2014 at 16:13
2

You can log in as root user:

sudo su

And then you are able to do:

cd apache2
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3
  • That works, thanks, although is it permanent or will su only have elevated privileges for the current session?
    – S..
    Commented Jan 29, 2020 at 9:56
  • I like the solution by @rechengehirn as it's permanent.
    – S..
    Commented Jan 29, 2020 at 9:57
  • Unfortunately it's not permanent.
    – david
    Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 13:30

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