Location of VMware log files for ESX, ESXi, SRM and vCenter

Whether your tracking down an issue on your own or collection data to submit a support request to VMware your gonna need to round up the necessary log files. I have collected and listed some of the main log locations from VMware and also linked to KB articles covering a full list of log file locations.

VMware ESX log files

You can see ESX logs: (KB Link)

• From the Service Console
• From the vSphere Client connected directly to the ESX host (click Home > Administration > System Logs)
• From the VMware Infrastructure Client connected directly to the ESX host (click Administration > System Logs)

The vmkernel logs (which log everything related to the kernel/core of the ESX) are located at /var/log/vmkernel.
The vmkwarning logs (which log warnings from the vmkernel) are located at /var/log/vmkwarning.
The vmksummary logs (which provide a summary of system activities such as uptime, downtime, reasons for downtime) are located at /var/log/vmksummary.
The hostd log (which is the log of the ESX management service of the ESX) are located at /var/log/vmware/hostd.log.
The messages log (which log activity on the Service Console operating system) is located at /var/log/messages.
The VirtualCenter Agent log is located at /var/log/vmware/vmware/vpx/vpxa.log.
The Automatic Availability Manager (AAM) logs are located at /var/log/vmware/aam/vmware_-xxx.log.
The SW iSCSI logs are located at /var/log/vmkiscsid.log.
The System boot log is located at /var/log/boot-logs/sysboot.log.

VMware ESXi log files – (KB Article)

The vmkernel, vmkwarning, and hostd logs are located at /var/log/messages.
The Host Management service (hostd = Host daemon) log is located at /var/log/vmware/hostd.log\.
The VirtualCenter Agent log is located at /var/log/vmware/vmware/vpx/vpxa.log.
The System boot log is located at /var/log/sysboot.log.
The Automatic Availability Manager (AAM) logs are located at /var/log/vmware/aam/vmware_-xxx.log.
vCenter log files – (KB Article)

SRM log files – (KB Article)

The SRM configuration files are located at:

• C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Site Recovery Manager\config\extension.xml
• C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Site Recovery Manager\config\vmware-dr.xmlOr
• C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager\config\extension.xml
• C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager\config\vmware-dr.xml

The SRM Logs (on vCenter Server for connection with SRM and on SRM for SRM workflow) are located at:

• %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\VMware\VMware Site Recovery Manager\Logs, which translates by default to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware Site Recovery Manager\LogsOr
• %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\VMware\VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager\Logs, which translates by default to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager\Logs

The SRM Installation Logs (on the SRM Server, which may not be the vCenter Server) are located at C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\1.
The location of the SRA Logs (on the SRM server) depends on the SRA type and vendor. They may be located in:

• C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager\scripts\SAN\*\logOr
• C:\Program Files\\

About Brian

Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. Specializing in VDI and Cloud project designs. Awarded VMware vExpert status for 2012 & 2011. VCP3, VCP5, VCA-DT, VCP5-DT, Cisco UCS Design