About WinSyslog¶
WinSyslog is a powerful and professional-grade syslog server for Microsoft Windows. It is designed for demanding enterprise environments and provides the same core functionality as a Unix syslog daemon, but with extended capabilities, modular design, and seamless Windows integration.
WinSyslog is actively maintained and continuously enhanced. With over two decades of development, it is one of the most mature, robust, and feature-rich syslog solutions available for the Windows platform today.
Network administrators rely on WinSyslog to monitor critical infrastructure in real time and receive alerts the moment important events occur.
Syslog is a well-established protocol for centralized logging of system events. While it originated in the UNIX world, today it is used by nearly all networked devices—including routers, switches, firewalls, and printers— to report events, status updates, and diagnostics.
Microsoft Windows does not natively include a syslog server (known as “syslogd” on UNIX). This is where Adiscon’s WinSyslog steps in. Developed since 1996, it was the first syslog server for Windows and remains a trusted solution for system and network administrators worldwide.
WinSyslog is developed by the same experienced team behind the industry-leading Rsyslog project, the de facto syslog standard in Linux. This shared expertise ensures deep protocol understanding and consistent implementation across platforms.
The product has evolved significantly since its early days. Originally released as “NTSLog”, it became “WinSyslog” starting with version 3 to reflect its expanded capabilities. Each release has introduced meaningful enhancements, with version 4 adding rule-based processing and modular services that allow for extremely flexible setups.
WinSyslog can operate as a standalone solution or be combined with other Adiscon tools—such as MonitorWare Agent and EventReporter—to form a comprehensive, centralized event monitoring and alerting system for Windows-based infrastructures.
Typical use cases include:
Logging events from syslog-capable devices such as routers, switches, and printers
Long-term storage of logs in text files, ODBC databases, or the Windows Event Log
Real-time display of messages and automatic notification (e.g., via email) on critical events
Running multiple concurrent syslog listeners on different ports
WinSyslog runs as a stable, low-maintenance Windows service that starts automatically with the system. Once configured, it operates reliably in the background, requiring no manual intervention.
With decades of field-tested experience, WinSyslog delivers unmatched reliability and versatility for professionals who demand robust, scalable, and secure event logging on Windows systems.
To learn more about the full suite of MonitorWare products, visit: https://www.adiscon.com/products