Windows 7 / Getting Started

Channels

To publish an event, the event must be registered using the ETW API. An XML manifest then defines how the event is published. Windows events can be published to either a channel or an ETW session.

A channel is a named stream of events. Channels are used to transport events from an event publisher to an event log file so that an event consumer can get the event. Figure below shows the structure of the channels and event logs in Windows Vista and later versions. Windows Vista and later versions include the following types of channels:

Event channel/event log structure
  • System System channels include the System, Application, and Security event log channels. These channels are created when Windows is installed on the computer.
  • Serviced Serviced channels include the following:
    • Admin Events in this channel primarily target administrators, support technicians, and users. Admin events generally indicate problems that have well-defined solutions that you can act on.
    • Operational Events in this channel are used for analyzing and diagnosing a problem with the computer. Operational events can be used to trigger tasks or tools for troubleshooting problems.
  • Direct Direct channels include the following:
    • Analytic Events in this channel describe problems that cannot be resolved by user intervention. Analytic events are published in high volume and can be queried but cannot be subscribed to. Analytic channels are disabled by default.
    • Debug Events in this channel are used by developers or support technicians for debugging system and application issues. Debug channels are disabled by default.

Note Analytic and Debug channel event information should first be converted to the standard Event Log (.evtx) file format to make it easier to read in Event Viewer.

By default, an event log file is attached to each channel except the analytic and debug channels. The event logs for those channels are disabled by default and are hidden from view in Event Viewer. To make Analytic and Debug event logs visible in Event Viewer, select Show Analytic And Debug Logs from the View method. Once these logs are displayed, you can selectively enable them by right-clicking on them and selecting Enable Log.

[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 Desktop Maintenance
  2. Performance Monitoring
  3. Improvements to Performance Monitoring in Windows 7
  4. Using Performance Monitor
  5. Real-Time Performance Monitoring
  6. Performance Monitor Logging
  7. Creating a Data Collector Set
  8. Configuring a Data Collector Set
  9. Using Data Manager to View Performance Data
  10. Starting and Stopping Data Logging
  11. Viewing Performance Data
  12. Comparing Performance Monitor Logs
  13. Performance Monitor User Rights
  14. Remote Data Collection
  15. Using Windows PowerShell for Performance Monitoring
  16. Resource Monitor
  17. Overview Tab
  18. CPU Tab
  19. Memory Tab
  20. Disk Tab
  21. Network Tab
  22. Reliability Monitor
  23. How Reliability Monitor Works
  24. Windows Performance Tools Kit
  25. Event Monitoring
  26. Understanding the Windows Event Architecture
  27. Channels
  28. Improvements to Event Monitoring in Windows 7
  29. Using Event Viewer
  30. Understanding Views
  31. Viewing Event Logs
  32. Saving Event Logs
  33. Configuring Event Subscriptions
  34. Considerations for Workgroup Environments
  35. Creating a New Subscription
  36. Using the Windows Events Command-Line Utility for Event Monitoring
  37. Using Windows PowerShell for Event Monitoring
  38. Using Task Scheduler
  39. Improvements to Task Scheduler in Windows 7
  40. Understanding Tasks
  41. Understanding the Task Scheduler Architecture
  42. Understanding Task Scheduler Security
  43. Credentials Management
  44. Securing Running Tasks
  45. Understanding AT and Task Scheduler v1.0 Compatibility Modes
  46. Understanding the Task Scheduler Snap-in
  47. Understanding Default Tasks
  48. Creating Tasks
  49. Defining Triggers
  50. At Startup Trigger
  51. On Connection To AND Disconnect From User Session Triggers
  52. On Workstation Lock AND Unlock Triggers
  53. Defining Actions
  54. Defining Conditions
  55. Defining Settings
  56. Managing Tasks
  57. Viewing History
  58. Using SchTasks.exe for Creating and Managing Tasks
  59. Task Scheduler Events
  60. Troubleshooting Task Scheduler
  61. Tasks Won't Run If the Service Is Not Started
  62. The Task Will Run Only When a Certain User Is Logged On
  63. The Task Action Failed to Execute
  64. Interpreting Result and Return Codes
  65. Understanding the Windows System Assessment Tool
  66. Understanding WinSAT Assessment Tests
  67. Examining the WinSAT Features Assessment
  68. Running WinSAT from the Command Line
  69. Understanding WinSAT Command Exit Values
  70. Running WinSAT Using Performance Information and Tools
  71. System Capabilities Section
  72. OEM Upsell And Help Section
  73. Understanding Windows Error Reporting
  74. Overview of Windows Error Reporting
  75. How WER Works
  76. Store Management System
  77. ReportArchive Folder
  78. WER Service
  79. Understanding the Error Reporting Cycle
  80. Understanding WER Data
  81. Configuring WER Using Group Policy
  82. Configuring WER Using the Action Center