Retrieving log files

ESXi servers and vCenter Servers generate log files. Some of these log files can be retrieved using PowerCLI. The Get-LogType cmdlet can be used to retrieve information about the available log file types on a virtual machine host or vCenter Server. The syntax of the Get-LogType cmdlet is as follows:

Get-LogType [[-VMHost] <VMHost[]>] [-Server <VIServer[]>] [<CommonParameters>]

There are no required parameters. If you specify a value for the –VMHost parameter, the available log types on the host will be retrieved. If you omit the –VMHost parameter, the available log types on the default vCenter Server will be retrieved.

In the first example, we will retrieve the available log types on the vCenter Server:

PowerCLI C:\> Get-LogType

The output of the preceding command is as follows:

Key                              Summary
---                              -------
vpxd:vpxd-23.log                 vCenter server log in 'plain' format
vpxd:vpxd-alert-21...