Dell PowerFlex v3.6.x Log Collection Technical Notes

Automatically collect logs

The Auto Collect Logs feature allows you to retrieve PowerFlex component logs that are collected automatically in response to a system alert of severity 3 or higher, even when you are not actively monitoring PowerFlex. Auto Collect Logs is disabled by default and can be enabled using the PowerFlex Installer. The feature applies to all PowerFlex components.

In order to use the Auto Collect Logs feature, a Lockbox must be configured with the MDM and LIA credentials saved in it, and the PowerFlex Gateway service restarted.

A new file is created at the following location every time Auto Collect Logs is triggered:

• Linux: /opt/emc/scaleio/gateway/temp/scaleio-auto-collect-logs/
• Windows: C:\Program Files\EMC\ScaleIO\Gateway\Temp\scaleio-auto-collect-logs\

Each log collection is saved in a ZIP file. The file name is a concatenation of the alert that triggered the log collection and a timestamp from when the log collection started.

The total capacity available for logs that are saved by the Auto Collect Logs feature is 1024 MB. When the log directory reaches 95% of its capacity, log deletion is initiated. Logs are deleted in a first-in, first-out manner, such that the oldest log file is deleted first. Log deletion stops when 20 percent of the capacity is available.

Once an automated log collection finishes, the Auto Collect Logs feature enters a cool-down period for 10 minutes. During this time, no logs are automatically collected, even if an alert of severity 3 or higher is issued. During automated log collection, the PowerFlex Installer is not available for any other actions, including manual log collection. When necessary, it is possible to abort an automated log collection from the Monitor tab in the PowerFlex Installer.