Collecting Esxi Logs using the vSphere PowerCLI

Connecting to vCenter Server or an ESX/ESXi host with PowerCLI

To run specific vSphere PowerCLI cmdlets and perform administration or monitoring tasks, you must connect to vCenter Server or an ESX/ESXi host.

 

1. Launch the vSphere PowerCLI.
   
2. In the vSphere PowerCLI console window, establish a connection to an ESX/ESXi host or a vCenter Server using the command:
   
   Connect-VIServer -Server HostnameOrIPAddress
   
   You see output similar to:
   
   Name                    Port     User
----                    ----     ----
HostnameOrIPAddress     443      Username
   
   Note: If the certificate is not trusted, a warnings displays. Depending on your security policy, these warnings can be ignored.

Downloading a diagnostic log bundle from vCenter Server

To download a vc-support diagnostic log bundle from vCenter Server:

1. Enter the command:
   
   Get-Log -Bundle -DestinationPath c:\Storage\Location\
   
   You see output similar to:
   
   Data
----
C:\Storage\Location\vc-support-nnnnnnnn-nnnn-nnnn-nnnn-nnnnnnnnnnnn.tgz
   
   
2. No progress bar is provided for the command. When completed, upload the logs to the FTP site.

Download a diagnostic log bundle from an ESX/ESXi host

To download a vm-support diagnostic log bundle from an ESX/ESXi host managed by vCenter Server:

1. Enter the command:
   
   Get-VMHost HostNameOrIP | Get-Log -Bundle -DestinationPath c:\Storage\Location\
   
   You see output similar to:
   
   Data
----
C:\Storage\Location\vm-support-nnnnnnnn-nnnn-nnnn-nnnn-nnnnnnnnnnnn.tgz
   
   
2. No progress bar is provided for the command. When completed, upload the logs to the FTP Site