Document Objective
This document describes the step by step method to retrieve/download the core files generated in the ACI fabric.
Summary
The ACI switch node and APIC has numerous processes which control various functional aspects on the system. If the system has a software failure in a particular process, a core file will be generated and the process will be reloaded. When a process crashes and a core file is generated, a fault as well as an event is generated. When the process on the switch/APIC crashes, the core file is compressed and copied to the APIC.
Steps to download the Core files stored in APIC node (s)
The APIC GUI provides a central location to collect the core files for the fabric nodes. An export policy can be created from ADMIN -> IMPORT/EXPORT in Export Policies -> Core. However, there is a default core policy where files can be downloaded directly. As shown in this example, the core files are exported to APIC controller when it occurred.
You can view the generated (and exported) core files by reviewing the "Operational" tab. You can review the node which generated the core files (service crashed), collection time, etc, in this tab.
You will be able to download the files to your desktop by clicking the "Export Location" link. Use your APIC credentials when prompted.
Alternatively, the core files can be accessed via SSH/SCP through the APIC at /data/techsupport folder on the APIC where the core file is located. Note that the core file will be available at /data/techsupport on one APIC in the cluster, the exact APIC that the core file resides can be found by the Export Location path as shown in the GUI. For example, if the Export Location begins with “files/3/”, the file is located on node 3 (APIC3).
What's Next?
A process crashing should not normally occur. In order to understand better why, beyond the above steps, it will be necessary to decode the core file. At this point, the file will need to be collected and provided to the Cisco TAC for further processing.
Use the link https://cway.cisco.com/csc/ to upload the files to your Cisco SR and share with your Cisco TAC engineer
