Centralized Syslog Server Solution for Windows Endpoints

Customizations
1

Hello everyone,

I’d like to share a custom solution for centralized log management built for Windows environments managed through HCL BigFix. This solution enables forwarding of endpoint logs to a central Syslog server, improving visibility, monitoring, and troubleshooting across the infrastructure.

Overview

The solution provides a lightweight, scalable Syslog forwarding mechanism for Windows endpoints by using a locally installed executable that collects and forwards logs to a centralized Syslog server.

Solution Architecture

The solution consists of the following key components:

1. Endpoint Syslog Forwarder (Windows Executable)

  • A custom-built executable running on Windows Servers and endpoints.

  • Configured via BigFix to:

    • Collect system and application logs (e.g., BESRelay, FillDB, etc).

    • Forward logs in Syslog-compatible format.

  • Supports forwarding over standard Syslog protocols.

Key Capabilities:

  • Runs as a background service

  • Minimal resource footprint

  • Centralized configuration through BigFix

  • Reliable log forwarding from Windows systems

2. Central Syslog Server

  • A centralized Syslog server that receives logs from all configured endpoints.

  • Aggregates logs for:

    • Monitoring and alerting

    • Security analysis

    • Compliance and auditing

  • Compatible with popular SIEM and log management platforms.

Benefits:

  • Single point of log collection

  • Simplified troubleshooting

  • Improved security visibility

3. BigFix Integration & Configuration Management

  • BigFix is used to:

    • Deploy the Syslog forwarder executable

    • Manage configuration (server address, port, protocol, log sources)

    • Start/stop services and handle upgrades

  • Ensures consistent configuration across all endpoints.

Use Cases

  • Centralized logging for Windows Servers and endpoints

  • Security event monitoring and incident investigation

  • Compliance and audit log retention

  • Infrastructure health monitoring

Summary

This Syslog server solution enables enterprise-grade centralized log management for Windows systems by bridging the gap between Windows logging and Syslog-based platforms. Leveraging BigFix for deployment and configuration ensures scalability, consistency, and ease of management.

1 Like
2

This sounds pretty awesome.

If this exists, are you planning to publish it somewhere?

3

We have done something similar with using BigFix to deploy Sysmon configurations which write to the Windows event logs then those logs are collected by the Windows event collector and sent on to our SIEM solution.