A Guide to Raw Access in cPanel

To access the Raw Access function in cPanel, this article assumes you are already logged in to cPanel. Click Here for details on how to log in to cPanel, follow this guide.

Introduction to the Raw Access Function

Raw Access in cPanel allows users to view and monitor their website’s activity without the need for complex data processing. This feature provides unprocessed access logs, detailing each action taken on your site, including visits, user behaviours, and resource requests. SmartHost recognises the importance of understanding website traffic and offers this tool to empower users with direct data insights.

Managing Raw Access

Accessing Raw Access Logs

1. Login to cPanel: Access your SmartHost cPanel account.

2. Navigate to Metrics: On the cPanel dashboard, locate and select the ‘Metrics’ section.
3. Open Raw Access: Within the Metrics section, click on ‘Raw Access’ to view your access logs.

Downloading and Archiving Logs

1. Download Current Logs: Click on the domain to download the current day’s raw access logs.
2. Configure Log Archiving: Select the option to Archive logs in your home directory at the end of each stats run if you wish to retain logs.
3. Download Archived Logs: Access previously archived logs by clicking on the corresponding link.

Managing Log Settings

1. Remove Previous Logs: Choose if you want the system to remove the previous month’s logs at the end of each month.
2. Configure Log Processing: Decide if you want to disable the processing and storage of your older logs to conserve disk space.

Further Reading about Raw Access Logs

Understanding Raw Access Logs

Raw Access logs provide a goldmine of information, presented in a format that lists each interaction made with your website. These logs include details such as visitor IP addresses, access times, pages viewed, and user agents. By analysing this data, SmartHost clients can gain insights into traffic patterns, visitor behaviours, and potential security threats.

Benefits of Using Raw Access

Utilising Raw Access logs is instrumental in understanding the real-time activity on your site. This information is crucial for:

• Traffic Analysis: Understand peak traffic times and user engagement.
• SEO Optimisation: Gain insights into how users find and interact with your site.
• Security Monitoring: Detect unusual patterns that may indicate a security threat.

Navigating and Interpreting the Logs

The data in Raw Access logs can seem overwhelming due to its detailed nature. Each entry in the log includes the visitor’s IP address, the date and time of the visit, the HTTP request made, the status code returned by the server, the size of the file served to the user, and the referrer URL. Understanding this format is key to effectively interpreting the data.

Archiving and Managing Logs

SmartHost recommends archiving your logs to ensure that you have historical data available for long-term analysis and records. Regular archiving helps in maintaining an efficient and organised repository of user interactions over time.

For further information on managing your website’s data and understanding the metrics involved, please refer to the cPanel documentation on Raw Access.

FAQ about Raw Access in cPanel