Here are a few log files I found useful when deploying the VCSA (vCenter Appliance)

  • /var/log/firstboot
    • rpmInstall.json – A JSON formatted file containing status messages.  Contains progress information, and error messages.
    • cloudvm.log – Log messages created throughout the vCenter Server Appliance installation process.
    • firstbootStatus.json –  A JSON file containing the current status of the installation process.