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]
| See ConfigStore |
vCenter Server agent
log
| /var/log/vmware/vpx/
| vpxa.log
| See ConfigStore |
Virtual machine kernel
core file
| /root/
| vmkernel-core.<date>
vmkernel-log.<date> | See ConfigStore |
syslogd log
| /var/log/
| messages [messages.1,...
messages.4] | See ConfigStore |
Service console
availability report
| /var/log/
| vmkernel [vmkernel.1, ... vmkernel.8]
| See ConfigStore |
VMkernel messages,
alerts, and availability reports
| /var/log/vmkernel
| See ConfigStore | |
VMkernel warning
| /var/log/
| vmkwarning [vmkwarning.1 ... 4 for history]
| See ConfigStore |
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.
Many configuration settings can no longer
be edited directly with a web browser. To modify configuration settings in
ConfigStore, use
/bin/configstorecli
or
esxcli
.In addition to viewing log files in real time
you can also generate reports and complete diagnostic bundles. See
Generating Diagnostic Bundles.