Top vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) troubleshooting commands

During the configuration and troubleshooting of vCenter Server Appliances (VCSA) I maintain a list of commands that I frequently use. This list contains my top configuration and troubleshooting VCSA commands:

  • Enable access the Bash shell:
shell.set –enabled true  
  • Permanently configure the default Shell to BASH for Root:
chsh -s /bin/bash root  
  • Log location of the VCSA:
/var/log/vmware/vsphere-client/logs/  
  • VCSA service management:
Check status  
service-control –status –all  
List services  
service-control –list  
Stop all services  
service-control –stop –all  
Start all services  
service-control –start –all  
  • Join the AD domain from PSC:
/opt/likewise/bin/domainjoin-cli join domain.nl aduser password  

After the AD domain join reboot the appliance

  • Check the AD domain join status:
/opt/likewise/bin/domainjoin-cli query  
  • Leave AD domain join:
/opt/likewise/bin/domainjoin-cli leave  

After the AD domain leave reboot the appliance

  • Certificate Manager location:
/usr/lib/vmware-vmca/bin/certificate-manager  
  • Test port connectivity from the VCSA:
curl -v telnet://target ip address:port  
Example:  
curl –v telnet://mypsc.domain.local:443  
  • Identity which PSC the VCSA is pointing to:
/usr/lib/vmware-vmafd/bin/vmafd-cli get-ls-location –server-name localhost  
  • Repoint the VCSA to another PSC:
cmsso-util repoint –repoint-psc "PSC01"  
  • Check the PSC replication partner:
/usr/lib/vmware-vmdir/bin/vdcrepadmin -f showpartners -h localhost -u administrator -w password  
  • Check the PSC replication status:
/usr/lib/vmware-vmdir/bin/vdcrepadmin -f showpartnerstatus -h localhost -u administrator -w password  

Output:

Partner: psc02  
Host available: Yes  
Status available: Yes  
My last change number: 4274  
Partner has seen my change number: 4274  
Partner is 0 changes behind.  
  • VDC Admin tool test LDAP and force replication
/usr/lib/vmware-vmdir/bin/vdcadmintool