This article provides steps to collect diagnostic information for ESX/ESXi hosts and the vCenter Server using the vSphere Web Client.

VMware Technical Support routinely requests diagnostic information from you when a support request is handled. This diagnostic information contains product specific logs, configuration files, and data appropriate to the situation. The information is gathered using a specific script or tool for each product and can include a host support bundle from the ESXi host and vCenter Server support bundle. Data collected in a host support bundle may be considered sensitive. Additionally, as of vSphere 6.5, support bundles can include encrypted information from an ESXi host. For more information on support bundles, see Data collected when gathering diagnostic information from vSphere products (2147388).

Note: For more information, see the vSphere Monitoring and Performance Guide. This guide contains definitive information. If there is a discrepancy between the guide and the article, assume the guide is correct.

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5
VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware vCenter Server 6.5.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 6.7.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7
VMware vCenter Server 6.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.5.x

When the vSphere Web Client is connected to the vCenter Server system, you can select hosts from which to generate and download system log files and the option to include vCenter Server and vSphere client logs.

Note: This functionality was added in the flash based vSphere Web Client 5.1 and later. It is not available in previous versions.

vSphere Client (HTML5, vSphere 6.5 and later)

1. Start the vSphere Client and log into the vCenter Server system.
2. In the Hosts and Clusters view, Select the vCenter Server object that contains the ESXi hosts from which you want to export logs.
3. Either:
   • Right-click the vCenter Server object and select Export System Logs..., or
   • Select the ACTIONS link and select Export System Logs...
4. Select the ESXi hosts for which you want to export logs.
5. To collect diagnostic data for the vCenter Server itself, select the Include vCenter Server and vSphere UI Client logs option. This step is optional.
6. Click the Next button.
7. Select Gather performance data to include performance data information in the log files. This is optional and should only be selected if performance data a needed.
   
   Note: You can update the duration and interval time between which you want to collect the data. Here also you can see an option for entering a password for encrypted core dumps.
    
8. Click the EXPORT LOGS button to save the bundle to your local computer.
   
   Note: The host or vCenter Server generates .zip bundles containing the log files. The Recent Tasks panel shows the Generate diagnostic bundles task in progress.

vSphere Web Client (Flex/Flash, vSphere 5.0 through 6.7)

1. Start the vSphere Web Client and log in to the vCenter Server system.
2. Under Inventory Lists, select vCenter Servers.
3. Click the vCenter Server that contains the ESX/ESXi hosts from which you want to export logs.
4. Click the Monitor tab and click System Logs.
5. Click Export System Logs.
6. Select the ESX/ESXi hosts from which you want to export logs.
7. Select the Include vCenter Server and vSphere Web Client logs option. This step is optional.
8. Click Next.
9. Select the system logs that are to be exported.
10. Select Gather performance data to include performance data information in the log files.
    
    Note: You can update the duration and interval time between which you want to collect the data.
     
11. Click Next.
12. Click Generate Log Bundle. The Download Log Bundles dialog appears when the Generating Diagnostic Bundle task completes.
13. Click Download Log Bundle to save it to your local computer.
    
    Note: The host or vCenter Server generates .zip bundles containing the log files. The Recent Tasks panel shows the Generate diagnostic bundles task in progress.
     
14. After the download completes, click Finish or generate another log bundle.

Note: The vSphere Flash-based Web Client is deprecated starting vSphere 6.7 and have minimal options.

Note: You can use the events log to troubleshoot issues, particularly when trying to determine a timestamp.

To export the events log from flash based vSphere Web Client:

1. Select an inventory object.
2. Click the Monitor tab, and click Events.
3. Click the Export icon.
4. In the Export Events window, specify what types of event information you want to export.
5. Click Generate CSV Report, and click Save.
6. Specify a file name and location and save the file.

ESXi/ESX host console

Running the vm-support command in a console session on ESXi/ESX hosts.

The command-line vm-support utility is present on all versions of VMware ESXi/ESX, though some of the options available with the utility differ among versions, see vm-support” command in ESX/ESXi to collect diagnostic information (1010705).

Running vc-support in a console session on VCenter 6.0 or later using the command line.

The command-line vc-support utility is present on all versions of VMware VCenter, though some of the options available with the utility differ among versions, see Collecting diagnostic information for VMware vCenter Server 4.x, 5.x and 6.x (1011641).


For the procedures to upload diagnostic information to VMware, see Uploading diagnostic information for VMware (1008525)

VMware Skyline Health Diagnostics for vSphere - FAQ
To simplify and expedite the log upload process, we recommend using the Log Assist feature of VMware Skyline, which (with your permission) automatically uploads log files. Skyline is available to all Production Support and Premier Services customers. To get started with Skyline, visit:  http://vmware.com/go/skyline/download.

Note: You can also you use the Log Browser feature in the vSphere Web Client to view, search, and export one or more vCenter Server or ESXi log files. For more information, see Using the Log Browser to view, search, and export Logs for troubleshooting (2032888).
Uploading diagnostic information for VMware
Using the Log Browser to view, search, and export Logs for troubleshooting
vSphere Web Client を使用して ESXi/ESX ホスト および vCenter Server の診断情報を収集する
使用 vSphere Web Client 为 ESX/ESXi 主机和 vCenter Server 收集诊断信息
Coletando informações de diagnóstico para hosts ESX/ESXi e o vCenter Server com o vSphere Web Client
Recopilar información de diagnóstico para hosts ESX/ESXi y vCenter Server mediante vSphere Web Client
Erfassen von Diagnoseinformationen für ESX/ESXi-Hosts und vCenter Server über den vSphere Web Client