Dell PowerEdge Legacy Model DSET Log Collection (Windows / Linux / ESXi)

Applicable Scope: Older PowerEdge models such as 11G/12G (e.g., R710, R720, T420). DSET (Dell System E-Support Tool) has ceased updates. For 12G and later models, prioritize collecting TSR via iDRAC; see "Dell PowerEdge Server TSR (SupportAssist) Log Collection". DSET is suitable for older servers where iDRAC is unavailable and collection must be performed within the operating system.

DSET collects chassis hardware, storage, software, and OS logs, generating a DSET Report for [HostName SvcTag-ServiceTag-Model] on Date at Time.zip compressed archive. Unified download entry point:www.dell.com/dset(There is one installer each for Windows, 32-bit Linux, and 64-bit Linux).

Collection on Windows

  1. Download the Windows version of DSET from the Dell Support website (for example, Dell_DSET_3.3.0.302.exe), then copy it to the server.

    DSET Download Page DSET Driver Detail Page Download File

  2. Run as Administrator. Select the installation type "Create DSET Report only" (generates a report only, without permanent installation on the server).

    Select Create DSET Report only

  3. In Advanced Report Settings, check "Gather Advanced Configuration Information", then click Next.

    Check Gather Advanced Configuration Information

  4. The command-line window begins collecting information; this takes approximately 5–15 minutes.

    DSET Collection Process

  5. Upon completion, the window displays the report save path (default is the current user's Desktop). Press any key to exit, then send the zip file to technical support.

    DSET Report Save Path

Collection on Linux

  1. Download dell-dset-lx32-*.bin or dell-dset-lx64-*.bin based on system architecture, then upload to the server (e.g., /root).

  2. Grant execute permissions with root privileges and run. After reading the license agreement, enter y to accept:

    chmod 755 dell-dset-lx64-3.7.0.219.bin
./dell-dset-lx64-3.7.0.219.bin

  3. Enter 2 (Create a One-Time Local System DSET Report) in the options menu to generate a report only, without permanent installation.

    DSET Linux Options Menu

  4. For all collection items (Hardware, Storage, Software, Linux Logs, Advanced Logs), select y; for "Use Default Filename and Location", select y; for "Upload to Dell", select n.

    DSET Linux Collection Options

  5. After collection completes, the report is saved by default under /root . The filename starts with DSET-Report-for- . Use tools like WinSCP to download it.

Collection on VMware ESXi (Remote)

DSET cannot run directly on ESXi. Install DSET version 3.2 or higher on a Windows PC that can ping the ESXi host, then perform remote collection via SSH.

  1. Run the DSET installer on the Windows PC. Select installation type "Install DSET Components" and choose component "DSET Collector".

    Select Install DSET Components Select DSET Collector

  2. Log in to the ESXi host using vSphere Client. Navigate to Configuration → Security Profile and enable the SSH service.

    Enable SSH service in vSphere Client

    English localization of the legacy ESXi 5.0 vSphere Client example, showing SSH running under Configuration → Security Profile.

  3. Open "DSET CLI" from the Start menu as an administrator and execute:

    DellSystemInfo.exe -s <ESXiHostIP> -u root -p <RootPassword> -d hw,sw,st,lg,ad -r C:\temp\dset.zip
    ParametersMeaning
    hwAll hardware information
    swSoftware and operating system information
    stStorage information
    lgOperating system and application logs
    adAdvanced log items
    DSET CLI remote collection of ESXi logs
  4. When collection finishes, provide the ZIP at the path specified by -r. Restore the SSH service to its previous state after collection if it was enabled for this task.

Supplementary commands when OMSA is installed

If the server has OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) installed, you can also use omreport to quickly export key information (save output using the session recording feature of tools like PuTTY):

omreport system alertlog     # OMSA alert log
omreport system esmlog       # Hardware event log (ESM / SEL)
omreport chassis             # Chassis component health
omreport chassis memory      # Memory status
omreport chassis fru         # FRU information (serial and part numbers)
omreport storage pdisk controller=0   # Physical disks on controller 0

Use a DSET release compatible with the target operating system and ESXi version. The pictured vSphere Client is ESXi 5.0 and the DSET screens span legacy tool versions; this does not establish support for current ESXi releases.

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