ESXi logs missing under /var/run/log directory in the Support Bundle

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• After generating a Support Bundle for an ESXi host, the logs files under /var/run/log directory are missing.
• The ESXi host is detected to be in a not responding state when the Support Bundle was collected.
• In the extracted folder of the Support Bundle, in error.txt file:
  
  No file found matching /var/tmp/current-store-1
Cmd "/bin/rm -rf /var/tmp/current-store-1" failed with exit code 1
  
  
• Under <extracted ESXi support bundle>\commands, in vmkfstools_-P--v-10-scratch.txt file:
  
  Error: Unable to access device, please check your connection to the device.


Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

• The ESXi host had the scratch partition configured on the OSData partition of the Boot device.
• The Boot device was inaccessible when the Host was in a not responding state causing the log bundles to be unavailable.

Resolution

• It is recommended to configure the scratch partition on a persistent datastore as the host can recover logs and diagnostic data from the persistent location.
• Refer: Creating a persistent scratch location for ESXi 8.x/7.x/6.x