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.