# System Logs Overview

System logs give you a record of what the phone system is doing, which is invaluable when you need to troubleshoot behavior or trace a problem. This page explains what these logs contain, the levels of detail Cloud Voice can record, and how log files are stored and pruned over time.

## What system logs are

A system log is a file that captures details about your phone system's activity. Cloud Voice generates these logs each day and lists them on the **System Logs** page, where you can review them and download copies directly from the web portal.

## Log levels

Cloud Voice records several categories of log data, each covering a different kind of information. The available levels are:

- **Information**: general, everyday system activity.
- **Notice**: noteworthy events that fall short of a warning.
- **Warning**: conditions that may need your attention.
- **Error**: failures and error conditions.
- **DTMF**: DTMF (touch-tone) signaling.
- **Time Log**: timestamps attached to system log entries.
- **Debug**: detailed diagnostic data, including CDR analytics such as CDR data cleansing, plus debug output for these services:
  - SIP (Session Initiation Protocol, which sets up and ends calls)
  - RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol, which carries the call audio)
  - OpenAPI event notification messages (event messages sent over the system's programming interface)
- **CDR Log**: call detail record (CDR) information.

:::note
Debug is the most detailed level. Reach for it when you are actively tracing a specific problem, then leave the lighter levels on for day-to-day monitoring.
:::

## Where logs are stored

System logs are written to a fixed, built-in storage area. This location is managed by the system and cannot be changed.

## Automatic cleanup

To keep logs from growing without limit, Cloud Voice removes the oldest system logs on a schedule. By default, it clears them every 7 days or once the logs reach 10 MB, whichever comes first. You can adjust both the retention period and the maximum file size to suit your needs.

:::caution
Cleanup deletes the oldest logs permanently, and you cannot recover them afterward. If you need a log for a support case or an investigation, download it from the **System Logs** page before it is purged.
:::

:::tip
For details on tuning retention and file-size thresholds, see [Auto Cleanup Settings](/pbx/administrator-guide/auto-cleanup-settings/).
:::