Performing a Self-Backup of the vCenter for troubleshooting VAMI Backup issues

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

We can perform a self-backup of the vCenter in order to isolate if the issue is with vCenter components or the Backup server, by backing it up in /storage/core location. This is only for troubleshooting purpose and should not considered as a alternative location for the vCenter backup to be stored.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x

VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x

Resolution

Note: These steps can be used for preliminary troubleshooting of VAMI backup issues. However, please note that this procedure should be used with caution after ensuring that /storage/core has sufficient space available. Otherwise, it can lead to /storage/core filling up and vCenter crashing.

Step 1: Kindly take an SSH session to the vCenter and run the below command to change default login shell of root user to bash.

• chsh -s /bin/bash root

Step 2: From VAMI (https://vCenter_IP:5480) , select Backup and click on "Backup Now":

Step 3: Please enter "sftp://your_vcenter_fqdn_or_ip_address/var/core" in the Backup Location field. Afterwards, provide the vCenter root credentials and click on Start.

Step 4: Once the backup is completed, the new backup folder will be found in the /var/core directory of the root user in vCenter.