How to Generate Diagnostic Log Bundles from the Command Prompt Using Horizon 8

Introduction

In a Horizon 8 environment, diagnosing and troubleshooting issues is crucial for maintaining a smooth and reliable virtual desktop infrastructure. One powerful tool is the Command Prompt, which allows you to generate diagnostic log bundles for problem resolution. In this DIY blog, we’ll generate a diagnostic log bundle from the Command Prompt in your Horizon 8 environment.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

Access to a Horizon 8 environment.
Administrative credentials for the Horizon Connection Server.
A working knowledge of basic command-line operations

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Understanding Diagnostic Log Bundles

What are Diagnostic Log Bundles? – Very simple to answer here: Diagnostic log bundles contain valuable information about the state and health of your Horizon 8 environment. They are essential for troubleshooting issues, identifying errors, and providing insight into the system’s performance.

Now, every VDI admin is desperate to know when and why to Generate a Diagnostic Log Bundle:

System Issues: When encountering system errors or unexpected behavior.
Performance Degradation: During periods of performance degradation.
Configuration Changes: Before and after making significant configuration changes.

Demo: Generate a diagnostic log bundle from the Command Prompt

Step 1: Log in to the Horizon Connection Server.

Step 2: Navigate to the Start menu and search “Command Prompt.”

Step 3: Navigate to C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware View\Server\DCT

Step 4: Run the following command to initiate log collection.

Step 5: Observe the progress of generating the Logs.

Log Bundles with Horizon 8: steps

Step 6: Press’ Y’ and continue…

Log Bundles with Horizon 8: steps

Step 7: The script will generate a compressed log bundle, usually named <SA-CONNECTION-SERVER-NAME-vdm-sdct-yyyymmdd-time.zip on the Desktop.

Step 8: Retrieve the compressed log bundle.

Analysing the Log Bundle

Step 1: Extract the contents of the log bundle to a convenient location.

Step 2: Open the extracted logs using a text editor or log analysis tool.

Best Practices for Log Analysis

Regular Log Collection: Schedule regular log collections to establish a baseline for system behavior.

Documenting Changes: Before making significant changes, generate a diagnostic log bundle. After the change, compare logs to identify potential issues.

Conclusion

Generating diagnostic log bundles from the Command Prompt in your Horizon 8 environment is a valuable skill for any administrator. It empowers you to proactively identify and address issues, ensuring the health and stability of your virtual desktop infrastructure. By following this DIY guide, you’ve equipped yourself with the knowledge to navigate the Command Prompt and harness its capabilities for effective troubleshooting in Horizon 8.

With these steps, you can confidently generate diagnostic log bundles, analyze system behavior, and implement best practices to maintain a robust and reliable Horizon 8 environment. Stay vigilant, document changes, and leverage the power of the Command Prompt for a proactive approach to Horizon 8 troubleshooting.

Hope this blog on Generate Diagnostic Log Bundles with Horizon 8 was helpful.

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FAQs

1. Why must I generate a diagnostic log bundle in a Horizon 8 environment?

ANS: – Generating a diagnostic log bundle is crucial for troubleshooting and diagnosing issues in your Horizon 8 environment. It provides comprehensive information about the system’s health, aiding administrators in identifying and resolving problems related to errors, performance degradation, or configuration changes.

2. When should I generate a diagnostic log bundle?

ANS: – You should generate a diagnostic log bundle when encountering system errors or unexpected behavior, during periods of performance degradation, and before and after making significant configuration changes. Regular log collection is also a best practice to establish a baseline for system behavior.

3. Where can I find the Command Prompt in a Horizon 8 environment?

ANS: – To access the Command Prompt in a Horizon 8 environment, log in to the Horizon Connection Server, navigate to the Start menu, and search for “Command Prompt.”

4. What does the log collection script do in the Command Prompt?

ANS: – The log collection script initiated with the command gathers comprehensive logs from the Horizon environment, creating a compressed log bundle (usually vdm_logs.zip) in the same directory. This bundle contains vital information for troubleshooting and analysis.

5. How can I analyze the contents of the generated log bundle?

ANS: – After retrieving the compressed log bundle, extract its contents to a convenient location. You can then open the extracted logs using a text editor or log analysis tool to analyze system behavior, identify issues, and gain insights into the performance of your Horizon 8 environment.

6. Can I schedule regular log collections in Horizon 8?

ANS: – Yes, it’s a best practice to schedule regular log collections using the log collection script. This allows you to establish a baseline for system behavior, making it easier to detect deviations, proactively address issues, and maintain the overall health of your virtual desktop infrastructure.

7. What precautions should I take before making significant changes in Horizon 8?

ANS: – Before making significant changes, such as updates or configuration modifications, generating a diagnostic log bundle is advisable. After implementing changes, compare the logs to identify any potential issues introduced. This practice helps ensure a smoother transition and allows for quick remediation if problems arise.