How to collect vCenter and ESXi logs

vSphere Client (HTML5, vSphere 6.5 and later)

1. Start the vSphere Client and log into the vCenter Server system.
2. In the Hosts and Clusters view, select the vCenter Server object that contains the ESXi hosts from which logs are needed.
3. Either:
   • Right-click the vCenter Server object and select Export System Logs..., or
   • Select the ACTIONS link and select Export System Logs...
4. Select the ESXi hosts for which logs are needed from.
5. To collect diagnostic data for the vCenter Server itself, select the Include vCenter Server and vSphere UI Client logs option. This step is optional.
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6. Click the Next button.
7. Select Gather performance data to include performance data information in the log files. This is optional and should only be selected if performance data a needed.
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   Note: As an option, update the duration and interval time for the data collection. Optionally, enter a password for encrypted core dumps.
8. Click the EXPORT LOGS button to save the bundle to the local computer.
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   Note: The host or vCenter Server generates .zip bundles containing the log files. The Recent Tasks panel shows the Generate diagnostic bundles task in progress.

ESXi host console

• Running the vm-support command in a console session on ESXi hosts.
  • The command-line vm-support utility is present on all versions of VMware ESXi, though some of the options available with the utility differ among versions. Refer to vm-support” command in ESX/ESXi to collect diagnostic information.
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• Running vc-support in a console session on vCenter 6.0 or later using the command line.
  • The command-line vc-support utility is present on all versions of VMware VCenter, though some of the options available with the utility differ among versions. Refer to Collecting diagnostic information for VMware vCenter Server 7.x and 8.x.