Collecting logs for Dell VA084/U840 or VA012/U144 storage arrays

Products

• Security Analytics

Issue/Introduction

Components may fail in a Dell U144/VA012 or a U840/VA084 storage array.  The logs will illustrate the issue in order to diagnose the root cause.

Cause

Hardware, especially disks, fail periodically. 

Resolution

Collecting storage logs by command line

 

For those systems running newer releases, there has been a feature to allow the logs to be collected in the Web UI.  The utility pv_monitor.sh will produce a current status of the U144 or U840 storage arrays attached to your sensor.  Go to Settings -> System and find the Storage Array Information section.  Select "Download Storage Array Information" and the store.zip file with the logs contained will be collected and bundled to allow you download what is needed.  Be sure to include shipping information when attaching the bundle to a case.

To see the current status of the array, run as root, pv_monitor.sh -H

To collect the configuration, historical logs, and current status, run pv_monitor.sh -S.  A file named like store.zip is produced.  That can be attached to your case so that parts can be replaced, if needed.

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If this is the first time collecting the logs, you will need to ssh to the storage array to write the public key to /root/.ssh/known_hosts.  Enter Yes to accept the public key and then Ctrl-C when prompted for the password.  This is not needed in 8.2.3 and newer. 

The system will run for a few minutes to collect the logs and will produce a compressed file with a name similar to  /home/powervault_logs_2021-04-12_10:52.zip.  Attach this file to the case.   To decrease time to resolution for you, please include a complete shipping address with contact name and phone number.

Collecting logs from the Storage Manager UI

Storage logs can be downloaded from the PowerVault Manager UI as well.  Once logged in, locate the server icon in the bottom left corner of the page footer and click the image.  A pop-up will appear where you can click "Save Logs"

Additional Information

These systems are also known by Dell to be ME4