Overview of Configuration Files and Log Files

ESXi and vCenter Server configuration files control the behavior of the system. Most configuration file settings are set during installation, but can be modified after installation. Log files capture messages generated by the kernel and different subsystems and services. ESXi and vCenter Server services maintain separate log files. The following table lists log files or reports, their locations and associated configuration files.
Description
Log Location
Filename or Names
Configuration File
ESXi service log
/var/log/vmware/
hostd.log [hostd-0.log, ...hostd-9.log]
config.xml
vCenter Server agent log
/var/log/vmware/vpx/
vpxa.log
 
Virtual machine kernel core file
/root/
vmkernel-core.<date>
vmkernel-log.<date>
syslog.conf, logrotate.conf, various other
syslogd log
/var/log/
messages [messages.1,...
messages.4]
syslog.conf, logrotate.conf
Service console availability report
/var/log/
vmkernel [vmkernel.1, ... vmkernel.8]
syslog.conf, logrotate.conf
VMkernel messages, alerts, and availability reports
/var/log/vmkernel
 
syslog.conf, logrotate.conf
VMkernel warning
/var/log/
vmkwarning [vmkwarning.1 ... 4 for history]
syslog.conf, logrotate.conf
Virtual machine log file
vmfs/volume/<vm_name>
vmware.log
<vm_name>/<vm_name>.vmx
For developers, the following files are most relevant:
In addition to viewing log files in real time you can also generate reports and complete diagnostic bundles. See Generating Diagnostic Bundles.