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

1 thought on “Top vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) troubleshooting commands”

  1. Hey Ivo, of at all possible in the appliance, perhaps you can save some typing by setting the PATH to include those …/bin/ directories?

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