System logs are stored on non-persistent storage (2032823)

System logs are stored on non-persistent storage (2032823)

Details

You receive this message when your system stores its log files on non-persistent storage.

Example

When you use the advanced system parameter Syslog.global.logDir to configure the system log location, if you configure the system log location as temporary, for example [] /tmp, you get the esx.problem.syslog.nonpersistent message.

When the location for system logs is not configured, your system uses the scratch partition by default. If the scratch location is set to nonpersistent storage, such as /tmp, you get the esx.problem.syslog.nonpersistent message.

Impact

System logs are required for auditing and diagnostic purposes. If you do not store system logs permanently, for example on a datastore, they disappear after a reboot.

Solution

Verifying the Location of System Logs in vSphere Client

To verify the location:

1. In vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory panel.
2. Click the Configuration tab, then click Advanced Settings under Software.
3. Ensure that Syslog.global.logDir points to a persistent location. The directory should be specified as [datastorename] path_to_file where the path is relative to the datastore. For example, [datastore1] /systemlogs.
   
4. If the Syslog.global.logDir field is empty or explicitly points to a scratch partition, make sure that the field ScratchConfig.CurrentScratchLocation shows a location on persistent storage.

Verifying the Location of System Logs in vSphere Web Client

To verify the location:

1. Browse to the host in the vSphere Web Client navigator.
2. Click the Manage tab, then click Settings.
3. Under System, click Advanced System Settings.
4. Ensure that Syslog.global.logDir points to a persistent location.
5. If the field Syslog.global.logDir is empty or points to a scratch partition, make sure that the field ScratchConfig.CurrentScratchLocation shows a location on persistent storage.
   
   Note: You must reboot the host for the changes to take effect.

Note: To log to a datastore, the Syslog.global.logDir entry should be in the format of [Datastorename]/foldername. To log to the scratch partition set in the ScratchConfig.CurrentScratchLocation, the format is blank or []/foldername.

 

Additional Information

For more information on determining persistent logging, see Determining whether an ESXi host has persistent logging (2004773).

For more information on configuring Syslog on ESXi, see Configuring syslog on ESXi 5.x (2003322).

 

Product(s):
VMware ESXi
VMware vCenter Server

Product Version(s):
VMware ESXi 5.0.x
VMware ESXi 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.5.x