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How to Install Multitail 6.4.2 on Ubuntu

How to Install Multitail on Ubuntu

Tail is a program in Linux which is used to read a few lines from the end of a large file. Multi-tail, on the other hand, is a similar program to Tail. The only difference is that with Multi-tail, you can read multiple files - the log files at once. It also displays every opened file in a single terminal window nicely. You can also follow multiple files for changes at once. With Multi-tail you can open the different file with different colors. It is a very useful tool for Linux System Administrators.

It is so simple to install Multitail on Ubuntu and this tutorial covers the ground on the same process.

Installing Multitail

First, make sure you update your system by making use of the following command. 

root@localhost:~# apt-get update
Hit:1 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease
Hit:2 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security InRelease 
.
.
Hit:4 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-backports InRelease
Reading package lists... Done

You shall now install multitail by making use of the following command. 

root@localhost:~# apt-get install multitail
Reading package lists... Done
.
.
Processing triggers for man-db (2.7.5-1) ...
Setting up multitail (6.4.2-1build1) ...

Once Multitail has been installed, you shall know about the version of Multi-tail by making use of the following command. 

root@localhost:~# multitail -V
 --*- multitail 6.4.2 (C) 2003-2014 by folkert@vanheusden.com -*--
.
.
do not hesitate to contact me at folkert@vanheusden.com
Website is available at: http://www.vanheusden.com/multitail/


You can now use multitail to view single log file with Multi-tail. 

root@localhost:~# multitail /var/log/auth.log

You can also view multiple log files with multi-tail in a vertical manner. 

root@localhost:~# multitail /var/log/auth.log  /var/log/kern.log

You can also view multiple log files with multi-tail in a horoizontal manner. 

root@localhost:~# multitail -s 2 /var/log/auth.log  /var/log/kern.log

You can press ‘ b’ to open a list of the opened files as shown in the screenshot below. I have 2 files opened, the first one /var/log/auth.log is numbered 00 and the second one /var/log/kern.log is numbered 01. If you don’ t want to select any file, just press < Ctrl> and < g> to cancel the selection menu.

As you can see from the screenshot below, I selected the first file /var/log/auth.log and it’ s displayed in a separate section. Now you can press < Up> and < Down> arrow keys to navigate the file.

If you want to view multiple files with different colors in a vertical manner, run the following command. 

root@localhost:~# multitail -ci green /var/log/auth.log -ci blue /var/log/kern.log

You can also view multiple files with different colors in horizontal manner. 

root@localhost:~# multitail -s 2 -ci green /var/log/auth.log -ci red /var/log/kern.log

With this, the tutorial comes to an end.

Tag : MultiTail Ubuntu
FAQ
Q
How to view the Multiple files in multiple columns using the Multitail command?
A
For view the Multiple files in multiple columns using the Multitail command, use the following example as given below " multitail -s 3 /file.txt /file2.txt /file3.txt"
Q
How to View 2 Files in Single Window using the Multitail command?
A
For View 2 Files in Single Window using the Multitail command, use the following example as given below "multitail /file1.txt /file2.txt"
Q
What are the features available in Multitail?
A
The following features are available in Multitail as given below,
Multiple input sources.
Color display using Regular Expression in the case of important information.
Line filtering.
Interactive Menus for deleting and adding shells.
Q
how to install Multitail on centos?
A
For the installation of the Multitail on CentOS, use the following link as given below "https://www.linuxhelp.com/how-to-install-multitail-in-linux/"
Q
What is the main term os usage of Multitail?
A
A tail is a program in Linux which is used to read a few lines from the end of a large file. Multi-tail, on the other hand, is a similar program to Tail. The only difference is that with Multi-tail, you can read multiple files - the log files at once. It also displays every opened file in a single terminal window nicely. You can also follow multiple files for changes at once. With Multi-tail you can open the different file with different colors. It is a very useful tool for Linux System Administrators.

It is so simple to install Multitail on Ubuntu and this tutorial covers the ground on the same process.