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:
- hostd.log– Host daemon log, see ESXi Log File. Can be used as a SOAP monitor when set to trivia log level as in Generating Logs.
- vpxa.log– Agent log file found on each managed ESXi system.
- vmware.log– Virtual machine log. See Virtual Machine Log Files.
In addition to viewing log files in real time
you can also generate reports and complete diagnostic bundles. See
Generating Diagnostic Bundles.