How to Collect Logs from PowerEdge Servers for Advanced Troubleshooting

If you have an issue, we recommend that you gather system logs to expedite the support process before contacting Dell Support. If you have logs available to send to the support agent, you can review them and analyze the issue immediately. This is the fastest possible resolution for your issue. This article explains some of the key tools available to collect logs. This includes the DSET, one of the best tools to collect logs for your Dell PowerEdge systems.

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When is which tool useful?

The following table shows which tools can be used to obtain valid information about a specific issue source.

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Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller - iDRAC

The Dell iDRAC is integrated with most Dell PowerEdge servers. It does not require an installed operating system or hypervisor to function. You can access iDRAC using a web browser on the same network by using the IP address of the iDRAC (see article PowerEdge: How to configure the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9) and Lifecycle Controller network settings). For advanced troubleshooting, it is recommended to check the information provided, such as the status of the firmware and the system event log (SEL).

• All Systems: No operating system required, which does not require downtime to gather logs.
• Benefit: Physical controllers enable remote system management and system monitoring.
• Updates: See article Support for Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9) 
• Set up iDRAC: See article PowerEdge: How to configure the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9) and Lifecycle Controller network settings

Related Articles:

• Error messages in the PowerEdge server system event log and how to view the error messages 
• PowerEdge: Export a SupportAssist Collection Using iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 
• Export a SupportAssist Collection Using an iDRAC9 

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Export PERC logs using software tools

An alternative to extract RAID controller logs for advanced analytics is to provide software tools such as the PERCCLI or Mega-CLI utilities for older controllers.

PercCLI:

• Works on Windows, Linux, and VMware
• Supported by PERC Series 8 and newer product families
• No reboot required

Related Article:

• How to use the PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) Command-Line Interface (CLI) utility to manage your RAID controller 

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Management Module

Dell PowerEdge MX7000 has a management module that provides chassis management. The Management Module supports high availability using a redundant module. An integral function of the management firmware is to maintain a detailed log of events from managed devices and software events in the management firmware. Firmware logs collected from Management Module components that can be used for troubleshooting are grouped as extract logs.

• All Systems: No operating system required, which does not require downtime to gather logs.
• Benefit: The physical controller provides remote system management of the entire blade chassis and system monitoring.
• PowerEdge MX7000: Guide 
• Retrieving logs: See article How to view and extract log from MX7000 using OPENMANAGE ENTERPRISE-Modular 

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