Download vCenter Support Log Files

This article applies to all product versions.

How to generate and download ESXi log files for analyzing performance and troubleshooting problems.

vSphere Web Client

When the vSphere Web Client is connected to the vCenter Server, you can select host(s) and download system log files for analysis.

1. Log into vSphere Web Client.
    
2. Right‐click the vCenter and select “Export System Logs…”
   
   
   
   • Alternately, you can click the System Logs button under the Monitor tab, and click the Export System Logs button.
      
3. On the selection screen that appears:
   • Select host(s) to collect log files from.
   • Select the option to Include vCenter Server and vSphere UI Client logs.
   • Click the Next button.
     
     
      
4. On the following step specify the individual logs to include in the bundle:
   • Key log files are selected by default.
   • In addition to system logs, also include the “sidecarfiles” log.
   • If necessary, specify additional options including performance data parameters and encryption.
   • Click the Export Logs button.
     
     
     

The sidecarfiles log for each host should always be included in exported support bundles.

Closing the vSphere Web Client while a log download is in progress will cancel the download. The log bundle generation process can take some time to complete. While the process is running it is possible to continue working in vSphere by opening a new instance of the vSphere Web Client.

Command Line

A support bundle can be downloaded directly from the command line.

1. Access the ESXi host using SSH.
    
2. Log in using root credentials.
    
3. Generate the vCenter log using the CLI command vc-support.sh
   
   
    
4. The support bundle will be generated. It may take a few minutes for the task to complete.
   
   
   
   • Once completed, the location of the support bundle file will be displayed.
      
5. Use WinSCP to access the VCSA then go to the file location and download the support bundle file.
   

Support bundle files can be quite large and may become overwritten as new data is generated. Download log files as soon as they are needed – delaying too long may result in recorded analytical data being overwritten and lost.

Learn more about collecting and managing VMware support logs.