Configure a custom syslog port on ESXi

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Starting with ESXi 7.0 Update 3q and ESXi 8.0 Update 2b, when configuring a remote syslog server, with non-standard ports, the vmsyslogd service automatically creates persistent dynamic firewall rules. There is no longer a need to manually open the firewall at ports that are different from the default 514 for TCP/UDP and 1514 for SSL protocols, respectively. When configuring remote hosts with the standard ports, users will still need to enable the syslog firewall ruleset.

Environment

• ESXi 7.x
• ESXi 8.x

Cause

Starting in ESXi 7.0 GA, custom ESXi firewall rules are no longer supported without the use of a VIB. 

Resolution

To configure a custom port for syslog in ESXi 7.0 U3q or later, or ESXi 8.0 U2b or later:

1. Navigate to the ESXi host in vCenter
2. Click "Configure"
3. Navigate to "Advanced System settings" under "System"
4. Click on "Edit"
5. Click on the filter icon next to "Key" and enter "Syslog.global.loghost"
6. Enter the syslog server information along with the port to be used and Click OK. See Configuring syslog on ESXi
7. Ensure to include the protocol and port
   • Example: tcp://hostname:port-number or udp://hostname:port-number

Additional Information

Creating custom firewall rules in ESXi is not supported. Refer to Creating custom firewall rules in VMware ESXi.

VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3q Release Notes
VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2b Release Notes