Have you ever tried generating a vCenter support bundle only to see it fail because the /storage/log partition is full?
This is a common issue in environments where disk space is tight. While
increasing the partition size might seem like the obvious fix, what if your
datastore is already running out of space? Or the change request require a lengthy approval process? In that case, resizing won’t
help—and you need a smarter workaround.
Problem: Disk space issue
- Generating the support bundle
from UI or CLI fails because the /storage/log partition
has only a few GB left.
- Uplifting the partition size is not an option when the datastore itself is low on space or the change request requires a lengthy approval process.
Real-World Scenario
In my case, the datastore was nearly full,
so increasing the log partition wasn’t possible. The solution? Redirect the
support bundle to a partition with more space.
Solution: Generate a support bundle
Follow these steps to generate the vCenter support bundle on a custom path:
Step 1: SSH into vCenter
Log in using root credentials:
|
ssh root@<Your-Center> |
Step 2: Check Disk
Usage
Run:
|
df -h |
Identify the largest partition. In most cases, /storage/core has the most free space.
Step 3: Generate Support Bundle on Custom Path
Here’s the magic command:
vCenter 7 /storage/core
vc-support -w /storage/core/ -l |
vCenter 8 /storage/updatemgr
|
vc-support -w /storage/updatemgr/ -l |
- -w specifies the custom path.
- -l (optional) displays the generated bundle path.
Step 4: Wait for Completion
The process may take several minutes depending on log size.
Step 5: Download the Bundle
Use WinSCP or FileZilla to
download the bundle from the below:
vCenter 7 /storage/core
cd /storage/core |
vCenter 8 /storage/updatemgr
cd /storage/updatemgr |
Step 6: Clean Up
After downloading, delete the bundle to
free space:
|
cd <your_bundle_path> |
Why This Works
The /storage/core partition typically has more space than /storage/log, making it the best location for large support bundles when disk space is tight.
Pro Tip: Regularly monitor vCenter
partitions to avoid space issues during critical troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts
Next time your vCenter support bundle fails due to disk space, don’t panic—redirect it! This simple trick can save hours of frustration.
“Information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves.”
― Aaron Swartz