Solved: How do I backup logs in plaintext format avoid performing LZ4 decompression?

This article describes that backup logs in plaintext format avoid LZ4 decompression.

By default, if the logs are backed up to the FTP server, logs will be encrypted.

# execute backup disk alllogs ftp <IP_address> <username> <password>
# execute backup disk log ftp <IP_address> <username> <password> <log_type>

If it is necessary to upload the logs to Fortianalyzer, it is necessary to decrypt it using LZ4 and then upload it to the FortiAnalyzer.

Scope

FortiGate version 7.0.4+

Solution

After 7.0.4+ Firmware, in all Firewall models, it is possible to add an uncompressed parameter at the end of the command ‘# execute backup disk log ftp’ to have a cleartext file and that will be easier to upload to the Fortianalyzer.

# execute backup disk alllogs ftp <IP_address> <username> <password> <compressed | uncompressed>
# execute backup disk log ftp <IP_address> <username> <password> <log_type> <compressed |uncompressed>

Now decompressed logs which can be uploaded to FortiAnalywer.

Note:

• This feature is present only in 7.0.4 and above.
• If you are trying to uncompress the log file using lz4_reader and it gives a java error, then use jdk-8u351-windows-x64.exe,