Introduction: Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is a powerful and complex infrastructure platform that combines computing, networking, and storage resources. Troubleshooting UCS-related issues can be challenging, especially when dealing with large-scale deployments. Fortunately, PowerShell, along with the Cisco UCS PowerTool module, provides a comprehensive set of tools to troubleshoot UCS and analyze logs. In this article, we will explore how to use PowerShell to troubleshoot UCS issues by examining log examples and leveraging the Cisco UCS PowerTool module.

1. Establishing Connection to UCS Manager: To begin troubleshooting UCS using PowerShell, we need to establish a connection to the UCS Manager using the Cisco UCS PowerTool module. This module allows us to interact with the UCS API and retrieve log information. Use the following commands to connect to the UCS Manager:

powershell
# Import the Cisco UCS PowerTool module
Import-Module CiscoUcsPowerTool

# Connect to the UCS Manager
Connect-Ucs -Name <UCS_Manager_IP> -User <Username> -Password <Password>

Replace “, “, and “ with the appropriate values for your UCS Manager.

2. Retrieving UCS System Logs: The UCS Manager maintains various logs that can provide valuable insights into system events and errors. PowerShell, combined with the Cisco UCS PowerTool module, allows us to retrieve and analyze these logs. Use the following script to retrieve UCS system logs:

powershell
# Retrieve the UCS system logs
$logs = Get-UcsSystemLog

The `Get-UcsSystemLog` cmdlet retrieves all system logs from the UCS Manager and stores them in the `$logs` variable.

3. Analyzing UCS Logs: Once we have retrieved the UCS system logs, we can analyze them to identify potential issues or errors. PowerShell provides powerful string manipulation capabilities that can help extract relevant information from the logs. Use the following script as an example to analyze UCS logs:

powershell
# Loop through each log entry
foreach ($log in $logs) {
    Write-Host "Log ID: $($log.Id)"
    Write-Host "Timestamp: $($log.Timestamp)"
    Write-Host "Severity: $($log.Severity)"
    Write-Host "Message: $($log.Message)"
    Write-Host "---------------------------------------"
    
    # Add your analysis logic here
    # Example: Check for specific keywords or patterns in the log message
    
    # Example: Extract additional information from the log message using regular expressions
    if ($log.Message -match "(?i)error") {
        $errorDetails = [regex]::Match($log.Message, "(?i)error: (.+)")
        if ($errorDetails.Success) {
            Write-Host "Error Details: $($errorDetails.Groups[1].Value)"
        }
    }
}

This script loops through each log entry and displays relevant information such as the log ID, timestamp, severity, and message. It also demonstrates two examples of log analysis: checking for specific keywords or patterns in the log message and extracting additional information using regular expressions.

4. Taking Action Based on Log Analysis: Once you have analyzed the UCS logs and identified potential issues, you can take appropriate actions to resolve them. PowerShell allows you to automate these actions using the Cisco UCS PowerTool module. Use the following script as a starting point to take action based on log analysis:

powershell
# Example: Taking action based on log analysis
foreach ($log in $logs) {
    # Add your analysis logic here
    
    # Example: Check for specific keywords or patterns in the log message and take action
    if ($log.Message -match "(?i)error") {
        # Add your action logic here
        # Example: Send an email notification, generate an alert, or execute a remediation script
        Write-Host "Error detected! Taking action..."
    }
}

This script demonstrates an example where it checks for specific keywords or patterns in the log message (e.g., “error”) and takes action accordingly. You can customize the logic to suit your environment and requirements, such as sending email notifications, generating alerts, or executing remediation scripts.

5. Automating UCS Log Analysis: To continuously monitor UCS logs and automate the troubleshooting process, you can schedule the PowerShell script to run at regular intervals using the Windows Task Scheduler or any other automation tool. By doing so, you can proactively detect and address UCS-related issues, minimizing their impact on your infrastructure.

Conclusion: Troubleshooting Cisco UCS issues can be a complex task, but PowerShell, along with the Cisco UCS PowerTool module, provides a powerful toolset to simplify the process. By leveraging PowerShell’s capabilities, administrators can establish connections to UCS managers, retrieve system logs, analyze log entries, and take appropriate actions based on their findings. This enables efficient troubleshooting and resolution of UCS-related issues, ensuring the availability and stability of the infrastructure.