Enabling Process Accounting on Linux HOWTO
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# 6. Process Accounting Setup on Linux

1. Compile and install process accounting software.

   The process accounting software package is available from http://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/admin/quota-acct-modified.tgz

2. Modify your system init script and turn on process accounting at boot time.

   Here's an example:

       # Turn process accounting on.
       if [ -x /sbin/accton ]
       then
       		/sbin/accton /var/log/pacct
       		echo "Process accounting turned on."
       fi

3. Create accounting record file `"pacct."`

   Your process accounting software will print out all commands executed to the file `/var/log/pacct` by default.

   To create the accounting record file:

       touch /var/log/pacct

   This record file should be owned by root, and it has read-write permission for root and read permission for anybody else:

       chown root /var/log/pacct
       chmod 0644 /var/log/pacct

4. Reboot.

   Now reboot your system for changes you made to take effect.

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Requirements for Process Accounting on Linux |  | Miscellaneous Process Accounting Commands