Because of its versatility, reliability, and security, Linux has emerged as the most powerful and well-liked platform in the era of operating systems. The Syslog system is a crucial part of the Linux operating system but is frequently overlooked by end users. Syslog is an essential component that saves and manages log messages produced by running services and other installed programs in a Linux system. In this post, we’ll talk about Linux Syslog’s creation and examine its purpose and features.

Introduction

For application messages and logging systems, Syslog is recognized as a standard protocol in Linux. It enables the transmission of log messages from numerous services and applications to a single, central place. Those central locations are referred to as Syslog servers. These log messages must be gathered and stored by it for further troubleshooting and analysis. Other operating systems, including BSP, macOS, and numerous more, now frequently use Syslog.

How does Syslog Work?

Syslog consists of three vital components:

• Syslog Server
• Syslog Client
• Syslog Protocol

Syslog Server

The Syslog server, often known as syslogd, collects all incoming log messages from a certain port while running in the background. Receiving messages from various syslog clients, processing them, and then storing them in log files for particular services or applications are its duties.

Syslog Client

This component works for generating and sending log messages to a Syslog server. Services and applications running on Linux systems can use system calls or syslog libraries to transmit log messages to the syslog server (syslogd). The Syslog client is responsible for transmitting crucial details such as hostname, actual log content, timestamp, and severity level. 

Syslog Protocol

The Syslog protocol contains a set of rules that are defined for effective communication between the Syslog server and the client. It also defines the format of log messages that can be stored in the Syslog server, responsible for specifying different severity levels such as starting from debugging to emergency, allows the admin to prioritize and filter the log messages based on their need and importance.

Key functionalities

Syslog is equally important for both system administrators and developers. Here are some of its key benefits and functionalities

Flexibility

The Syslog is flexible enough that it allows the administrators to configure the log actions and destinations as per desire and need. Log messages can be stored in files locally, transmitted to servers, trigger notifications, forward the log files to other Syslog servers, and can also work on scripts containing specific conditions.

Centralized Logging

Syslog offers a centralized approach to log management. This centralized-based approach helps the administrator to access the log messages and analyze them for multiple services and applications from a single place because all the log messages are stored in a single server. Therefore, it makes troubleshooting easier along with auditing and monitoring the activity.

Scalability

Syslog is extremely scalable when it comes to scalability, which makes it more appropriate for a large number of devices and systems within an environment. Syslog is capable of handling many clients’ including services and applications log messages simultaneously and ensuring that no logs are lost or missed.

Long term Storage

The Syslog authorizes long-term storage and log file archiving. Administrators can easily control the size of log files by configuring log rotation policies and also retention periods, which can ensure the logs are properly retained for historical analysis and compliance.

Prioritization and Filtering

The Syslog enables the administrators to apply filters on log messages based on sources, severity levels, and other criteria. This prioritization and filtering allow the administrators to focus on critical events and reduce the number of less important logs.

Crestron Virtual Processors running on Linux with VC4

Crestron’s VC 4 documentation provides some guidance (and a configuration example) for non-Linux experts on how to filter entries from the main syslog into a dedicated Crestron log file. While this is useful information, users of VC4 in a server environment will soon find that this level of filtering is not suitable for quick review and the resultant logs are still too noisy to be useful.

Crestron Help Article ( Requires Login)

The team at LCD has some hints and tips below as to how to make the syslog filtering work for your vc4 architecture.

Filtering for Logic Engine and SimplPlus

Log entries coming from simpl Windows programs running on VC4 have two patterns, One is logging from the program Logic Engine and the 2nd is from the Simpl+ process. The entries below in the config file create two filtered log files and filter entries for each of the processes into the respective files.

The log entries below are from a room named “55” which is running a Simpl Windows program.

We can use the naming of different entries in the syslog to filter into more granular log files.

See the example below for details of how to create a single log file for Logic engine and Simpl Plus Logs.

The code below shows a snippet from the  /etc/rsyslog.d/ conf file.

Filtering per Room or Group of Rooms

One step further you can create a dedicated log with messages from the specific room logic engine or group of Engines you want to capture.

For example, if your rooms have a standard naming pattern in VC4 then you can leverage this to filter log messages from them into a single file.

In Summary

Setting up granular logging can make a great difference in the time to diagnosis. If you need help configuring your systems to make the most of modern logging then contact us to find out more.

Introduction

In this fast-growing digital age, audio-visual systems are becoming an essential part of our lives ranging from home setups for entertainment to professional presentations audiovisual systems are everywhere. As the systems are being enhanced and becoming more complex the need for intuitive software interfaces is also increased. A user-friendly interface is always crucial to enhance the overall user experience and ensure that the audiovisual system can be controlled easily. In this article, we will explore the key strategies and principles for creating eye-catching intuitive software interfaces that elevate the user’s experience

Reduce the Complexity of Systems

The audio-visual controlled systems are complex and normally include various inputs, multiple devices, and complex settings. The main challenge is to create an intuitive software interface reducing the overall complexity for the end user. For this purpose, progressive disclosure is an effective strategy that can be applied where the interface only displays the main menu with few options to select and then gradually reveal the advanced options. This approach will not stress the users at first look and the users will only explore the options of their interest

Unveiling User Requirements:

The initial step in creating an intuitive software interface is a deep understanding of the end user’s expectations and needs. This can be done by conducting user research in terms of surveys, usability tests, and interviews. This will help in identifying the overall user preferences, desired functionalities, and pain points. This data will play a crucial part in designing of interface catering to the preferences of the targeted audience

Information Architecture and Visual Hierarchy:

A simple and effective visual hierarchy is the key to grasping users’ attention and then providing relevant information. Using color, size, contrast, spacing, etc, designers can spotlight important elements and can also provide a clear information hierarchy. Intuitive software interface for audio-visual controls must present the main controls prominent and can be accessible to users easily

Consistency and Familiarity in Design:

Consistency and familiarity are two key principles in designing an interface that can provide a seamless user experience. The only purpose of this is to make users more comfortable and confident while navigating through the software interface. Well-established design conventions and patterns should be utilized such as terminologies, standard icons, and layout. This helps in creating a sense of familiarity. Also, the consistency in the positioning of controls and design can surely reduce the cognitive load, increases predictability, and also enhances the overall user experience

Smart Automation and Streamlined Workflows:

Efficiency is an essential aspect of users’ experience. Making software interfaces that can automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows can remarkably enhance end-user productivity. Designers can make workflows by understanding the basic user tasks and scenarios that reduce the number of steps required to get a desired outcome. Many smart automated features can be adopted such as intelligent device detection & personalized presets. Providing a personalized experience can be more attractive and eye-catching for the end user.

Feedback for End User and Error Handling:

Feedback should be provided clearly and timely to get user confidence and error prevention. The software interface should offer auditory and visual feedback when users interact with controls and should provide system responses by confirming their actions. In addition, error messages should be helpful and informative to guide users while troubleshooting the issues. A well-designed interface should always provide error information and potential solutions that prevent the frustration of end users and ensures a positive user experience.

Conclusion:

Creating and designing a software interface for audio-visual control requires a thorough understanding of user expectations and needs. By applying these strategies and principles, designers can create an interface that can provide a seamless user experience. LCD works on user interface design across all of our business departments, internally we design interfaces for configuration and control using modern tools and processes to allow our product designers to work with our UX, graphical designers, and interface team in real time. In our custom projects business, we provide design workshops to our external clients involving our UX specialists using modern tools such as Figma and Adobe XD to facilitate collaboration testing and engagement.

In the past as a programmer in the Audio Visual industry when I thought about the environmental impact of my activities on the earth I would think about my Travel and immediately think of physical hardware like servers and devices.

Post covid the team at LCD rarely travel to sites to deploy code and that part of our impact has largely gone away although we still do travel and are always mindful of minimising the impact.

However, the software we use regularly also has a footprint on the environment. As we usher in the era of AI and our lives move futher online, it’s worth asking: how green is your audio-visual (AV) software development?

As AV software developers, we have earned a seat at the table in efforts to reduce carbon emissions to make the earth a better place to live in.

AV Software Development as an Energy Hog

The bulk of AV software developers rely on data centres to process and store user data. These data centres require copious amounts of energy to run and cool. They are energy guzzlers!

So, how can software development be made greener?

The typical approach is to shift to renewable resources. Ask anyone about what they think a company going green is all about, and they’ll mention solar panels and wind turbines.

Some companies are jumping on the bandwagon by investing in renewable energy projects like solar farms. While this may be a step in the right direction, becoming carbon neutral is more than solar and wind energy.

Perhaps the first step towards greener AV software development is awareness. Code writers play an essential role in determining the energy cost of the software. So, it’s vital to ask, how do coders fit in the grand scheme concerning carbon emissions?

How do you pick the most energy-efficient APIs without affecting performance? For example, choosing the correct API for a file reading with a focus on efficient use of buffer sizes can save as much as 76% compared to a less efficient solution. It all boils down to how much we know about green coding.

There are helpful resources such as Green Coding Berlin and Green Software Foundation developers can use as a starting point to better awareness.

Rooting for green AV software

Possibly the most practical way to make AV software development more environmentally friendly is to design it with sustainability in mind from the outset.

Consider the environmental impact of every functionality and feature during software development. LCD are towards greener software.

Google is leading the way by optimising its cloud infrastructure and data centres to be greener. Google’s goal is to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions.

With AV software development, it should initiate with articulating strategy. Establish targets and boundaries in the AV software development cycle.

Of course, there are obviously some trade-offs to consider between business and environmental objectives. Therefore, establish the limit beyond which the development process cannot cross. For example, does increasing product quality warrant the extra energy demand? This is a higher-level management decision.

How you measure the success of the green AV software development process is part of the strategy. Determine the metrics such as energy savings through dynamic code analysis, Scaphandre, and Kepler. Next, establish a threshold and leave room for flexibility. Green software is a largely unchartered territory and some flexibility comes in handy.

You can then keep reviewing and refining. There’s always room for improvement.

But apart from the software architecture and development, delivery must also be carbon neutral. The intermediary services you use to deliver the complete AV software to the client can support your green software efforts, as well.

We at LCD use Github for DevOps and delivery. Github has achieved net-zero carbon emissions and is working towards 100% carbon-negative operations.

Choosing green cloud and hosting

Of course, not every AV software firm has the resources or expertise to design software with sustainability in mind. But steps can still be taken to reduce the carbon footprint in software development.

For instance, companies can prioritise optimisation, energy-efficient hardware, and cloud services. Keep your development environment clean by deleting any “zombie VMs” and clusters you no longer need. Efficiency begets less energy use.

Indeed, cloud services are vital for developing and deploying modern applications. But these services use data centres that require large amounts of energy.

Some web hosting firms, such as GreenWeb, have gone carbon neutral, and others, such as Flywheel Hosting (who LCD partner with ), are working towards a net-zero goal . While most of the effort by the data centres is in optimising hardware and reducing energy consumption, most of the meat in the bone is in sustainable interventions.

For example, virtual servers can conserve energy while supporting rapid scaling for data centres. AV software development firms can adopt serverless computing to go green. So far, providers such as Microsoft Functions use a pay-as-you-use cost model, which can motivate coders to focus on efficiency.

At LCD we leverage Azure Cloud for some of our SaaS. This allows us to use serverless computing to support our carbon reduction efforts.

Admittedly, staying green in AV software development is not easy. It requires inter-organisational collaboration between developers and their service providers. However, AV software developers must have a strong will to go green and stay green.

Crestron Home 3.19 was released today.

This release has as one of its headline changes the ability to Hotswap drivers.

Here is the description of the new feature from Crestron’s Blog

“Hot-Swapping” Crestron Extensions

Prior to this update, upgrading extensions was not as quick and easy as it could have been. “We’d see extension developers add new features, and dealers would then want to upgrade that extension in existing systems,” Oster explains. “If one wanted to swap version 1.0 to 2.0, it was more painful in the past.” For example, suppose the driver brought a specific feature to every keypad in a home. As soon as the original version of the extension was deleted to make room for the 2.0 upgrade, all of the configurations, quick actions — name it — would disappear from every keypad. “With ‘hot-swappable’ drivers, a dealer can replace that extension without losing any of the programming,” says Oster. “All the quick connections, all the sequences, all still connected — which can save a dealer hours of labor.”

Another positive of the “hot-swap:” There’s no reboot required. Oster explains, “In the past if driver developers just changed one line of code to fix a bug or to test something, they would have to send their file again, reboot the processor, wait for a few minutes, and then finally test their line of code.” The update eliminates all those inefficient steps.

LCD produce a host of extension drivers and we have been working very closely with Crestron on Hot-Swap support for our drivers the since feature was announced to the developer community in June 2022. Some of the changes to the architecture behind the scenes meant that we had to re-invent a large portion of our code to achieve parity features for our driver ecosystem. This work went on throughout the end of last year alongside extensive testing of Crestron’s multiple beta versions of the hot-swappable solution.

After a thorough assessment of the readiness of the hot-swappable feature for production systems and our own position, we have made the decision not to implement the hot-swappable solution as at the release of 3.19. Our existing drivers will still work on a system upgraded to 3.19 however the process of upgrading or removing our drivers will remain as a manual process.

Although we have been anticipating the Hot-Swap solution being released we have discovered just today through Crestron’s blog post that the c.27th of March was the release date for 3.19 and indeed the Hot-Swap feature has been included. At this point in time we have not been able to confirm the final release candidate used for testing against our existing drivers. So where you have existing systems running our drivers in production we would recommend not upgrading them immediately to 3.19 until my team and I have had the opportunity to do further testing on the production release.