How to Collect Passive Node Logs in a VCHA Environment When They Are Not Included in the Active Node Bundle

Products

• VMware vCenter Server 8.0
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

In a vCenter HA (VCHA) environment, collecting a log bundle (vc-support) from the Active node normally includes logs from the Passive and Witness nodes. However, under certain circumstances, the Passive node logs may fail to be collected via the Active node. This document describes alternative methods for collecting the Passive node logs directly.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server

Resolution

Select one of the following methods based on network accessibility to the Passive node.

Scenario 1: No Direct SSH Access to the Passive Node (via Active Node)

This method assumes connectivity exists between the Active and Passive nodes. The Active node is used as a "jump box".

1. SSH to the Active vCenter Server as root.

2. (If facing issues with SCP clients) Change the default shell to bash if necessary (See KB 324261).

3. From the Active vCenter session, SSH to the Passive vCenter Server as root.

4. On the Passive vCenter Server, also change the default shell to bash if needed.

5. On the Passive vCenter Server, generate the log bundle using the vc-support command. (Example: generating in /storage/core)
   # vc-support -e VirtualAppliance:VchaPeerBundles -w /storage/core

6. From the Passive vCenter Server, use the scp command to transfer the generated log bundle to the Active vCenter Server. (e.g., scp /storage/core/<bundle_name>.tgz root@<Active_vCenter_IP_or_FQDN>:/storage/core/)

7. Using an SCP client (like WinSCP) on your workstation, connect to the Active vCenter Server and download the log bundle.

8. After completion, please delete the log bundle files from the Active vCenter Server (destination of step 6) and the Passive vCenter Server (generated in step 5).

Scenario 2: Direct SSH Access to the Passive Node

1. SSH directly to the Passive vCenter Server as root.

2. If necessary, type shell to switch from the appliance shell (Command>) to the Bash shell (#).

3. Generate the log bundle using the vc-support command. (Example: generating in /storage/core)
   # vc-support -e VirtualAppliance:VchaPeerBundles -w /storage/core

4. Using an SCP client (like WinSCP) on your workstation, connect directly to the Passive vCenter Server and download the log bundle.
5. After completion, please delete the log bundle file generated in step 3 from the Passive vCenter Server.

Additional Information

• Before generating the bundle, use the df -h command to ensure the destination directory (e.g., /storage/core) has sufficient free space.

Japanese Version: VCHA環境においてアクティブノード経由でパッシブノードのログが取得できない場合のログ取得方法(417499)