Retrieving Azure diagnostics

Question

I have an app running on Azure which logs (traces, really) to the Azure Diagnostics storage. I'm looking for a good tool which can be used to analyze these logs.

I know it's possible to retrieve these trace logs using the Server Explorer in Visual Studio, but this tool is a bit cumbersome. For instance, I can't specify a time interval for log records.

Also tried Azure Diagnostics Manager from Cerebrata, which is nice, but wonder if there any other good alternatives?

(The logging itself works just fine, it's the retrieval and analysis of the logs which I'm interested in)

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Nitramafve

Answer 1

You've already asked the same question on stackoverflow... can you share why you're not happy with Cerebrata's tools?  There are currently none better for Azure.

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Auto-scaling & monitoring service for Windows Azure applications at http://www.paraleap.com

Answer 2

The cerebrate is currently the only "stand alone" tool. If you need something "bigger" - then have a look at Microsoft's System Center Operations Manager with the Azure Management Pack installed.

 

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Dominick Baier | thinktecture | http://www.leastprivilege.com

Answer 3

Hi Nitramafve,

As builders of Azure Diagnostics Manager, I would be very interested in your thoughts on our tools. If you could share that, I would really appreciate it. You can reach me directly @ gmantri at cerebrata.com.

Thanks

Gaurav Mantri

Cerebrata Software

http://www.cerebrata.com

 

Answer 4

Igor, thanks for reminding me that I posted the same question on StackOverflow. Maybe you noticed that the answer I got there was similar to "No". Since few people know everything, and responses on StackOverflow sometime contains incorrect information, I decided to post in another forum as well. Sorry if this upset you.

Gaurav - Azure Diagnostic Manager is really nice. But I've only worked with Azure for a few months, and I like to know what different options are available to me. Generally speaking, even if I stumble upon a piece of software which is nice, I still think it makes sense to spend some hour searching for something even better. Maybe some other piece of software contains a feature which is nice and I haven't thought that I needed. Options rarely hurts.

Having said that, the big downside with Azure Diagnostics Manager to me is the licensing. It's not expensive, but

• a price tag means i have to escalate the decision to my boss.
• 5 * 80 USD is not that much money, but still some (I'm not the only one working with Azure in my team).
• i have to keep track of licensing details (who purchased it, what is the license key and so on)
• whenever a new guy is employed, we have to purchase new license. Or purchase more now than we need. Otherwise we can't benefit from the volume licensing.

No biggies, but still. :) Have a nice weekend.

 

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Nitramafve