Logging and tracing on Azure

Question

For our multi-tenant application with distributed design, which will be hosted on Azure, we are searching for a solution for logging and tracing.

These two topics, Troubleshooting Best Practices for Developing Windows Azure Applications and Enabling Diagnostics in Windows Azure, have already been covered. Exists a better alternative to this?

What are the best procedures and strategies for it, please? o A storage plan? • Is there a third-party or open-source technology that can assist us with this?

EDIT: There are two things we're seeking:

Where should we keep log data according to best practises for storage strategy? Since it's a multi-tenant, multi-tier application, should the data be kept distinct for each tenant's tier, combined, or is there another way to do it? How do we keep the information so that we can track each request that crossed many tiers individually?

a tool that aids in the analysis, filtering, sorting, and viewing of trace data Trace the flow of a single task that crossed numerous tiers, as the trace data size will be relatively large.

In an on-premises application with various layers, I have utilised System.Diagnostic with an XML listener (web app, service layer 1, service layer 2, etc). I next viewed the log data using Microsoft Service Trace Viewer. Numerous capabilities are supported by SVCTraceViewer, including the ability to combine log files from different tiers, display data graphically, track individual requests, etc.

So, an open source or third-party tool akin to Azure. That aids the support engineer in analysing the problem and finding a solution.

Answer 1

For logging and tracing in your multi-tenant application hosted on Azure, there are several procedures and strategies you can consider. Here are some recommendations:

1. Storage Strategy: It is generally recommended to keep log data separate and distinct for each tenant's tier. This approach ensures data isolation and facilitates easier troubleshooting and analysis on a per-tenant basis. You can utilize Azure Storage services, such as Azure Blob Storage or Azure Table Storage, to store log data for each tenant's tier separately.
2. Distributed Tracing: To track individual requests that cross multiple tiers, consider implementing distributed tracing. This involves assigning a unique identifier to each request and propagating it across different tiers as the request flows through the application. This allows you to correlate and analyze the flow of requests across multiple tiers.
3. Azure Monitor: Azure provides Azure Monitor, a comprehensive monitoring and diagnostics solution. Azure Monitor allows you to collect and analyze telemetry data, including logs and traces, from your Azure resources and applications. It offers powerful features for log aggregation, filtering, and analysis, enabling efficient troubleshooting. Azure Monitor also integrates with other Azure services and third-party tools for enhanced analysis and visualization.
4. Application Insights: Application Insights is a service offered by Azure that provides application performance monitoring, including logging and tracing capabilities. It offers automatic collection of telemetry data and supports rich analytics and visualization features. Application Insights can help you track the flow of requests, detect anomalies, and gain insights into the performance of your application.
5. Third-Party Tools: There are third-party logging and tracing tools available that can assist you in analyzing and troubleshooting your multi-tier application. Some popular options include Elasticsearch, Logz.io, and Splunk. These tools offer advanced log management, searching, filtering, and visualization capabilities, helping support engineers effectively analyze and resolve issues.

When selecting a tool, consider factors such as your specific requirements, budget, and integration capabilities with Azure services.

By implementing these procedures and leveraging tools like Azure Monitor or third-party solutions, you can effectively manage logging and tracing in your multi-tenant application hosted on Azure, aiding in troubleshooting and providing insights for efficient issue resolution.

Hope this helps!

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Thanks!