Yellow Bricks

by Duncan Epping

Kbvmware S Article 78708 Free

The string kbvmware s article 78708 free suggests a few things about how this story is being sought after:

# Restart management agents on an ESXi host
/etc/init.d/hostd restart
/etc/init.d/vpxa restart
# Check NTP status
esxcli hardware clock get
esxcli hardware clock set --year 2026 --month 03 --day 24
# View recent VMkernel logs (last 100 lines)
tail -n 100 /var/log/vmkernel.log

Conclusion – KBVMware’s article 78708 remains a valuable, free resource for anyone managing VMware vSphere. Its clear structure, actionable commands, and performance tips make it a go‑to reference for both routine maintenance and urgent troubleshooting.

VMware Tools installation failures on Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, as detailed in KB 78708, result from missing SHA-2 code-signing support required for newer driver versions. Resolving these issues involves manually installing Microsoft patches KB4474419 and KB4490628 to enable SHA-2 support, followed by a system reboot and re-attempting the installation. For more information, visit the Broadcom Community forum VMware tools fail to install on Windows 7 Guest | Fusion

Understanding VMware KB 78708: How to Free Up Space on Your VMware Appliances

VMware Knowledge Base article 78708 is a critical resource for system administrators managing VMware vCenter Server Appliances (VCSA). It provides a specific script and set of procedures designed to identify and remove unnecessary files that often bloat the appliance’s storage partitions. When these partitions reach 100% capacity, the vCenter services frequently fail to start, leading to management downtime. Why Your VMware Appliance Runs Out of Space

The vCenter Server Appliance is a Linux-based virtual machine with several dedicated partitions. Over time, these areas can fill up due to:

Audit and Syslog Data: Historical logs that haven't been rotated properly.

Old Patch Files: Leftover data from previous VCSA updates or installations.

Crash Dumps: Large core dump files created during service failures.

Temporary Files: System cache and temporary data that wasn't automatically cleared.

When the /storage/log or /storage/seat partitions hit their limit, the Postgres database or the vpxd service may crash, preventing you from logging into the vSphere Client. How to Use the KB 78708 Cleanup Script

The primary solution offered in KB 78708 is the execution of a automated cleanup script. This is much safer than manually deleting files via the command line.

Backup Your Appliance: Before running any cleanup script, take a snapshot of your vCenter Server Appliance.

Access the Shell: Log in to the VCSA via SSH or the VM console using root credentials. Type shell to enter the BASH interface.

Download/Locate the Script: The KB article provides a script (often named cleanup_vcsa.py or similar in later iterations). If your environment is offline, you may need to copy the script content manually into a new file on the appliance. kbvmware s article 78708 free

Execute the Script: Run the script with Python. It will scan the common directories for "safe to delete" files, such as old logs and temporary update files.

Restart Services: Once the space is reclaimed, you may need to restart the VCSA services using the command: service-control --start --all. Manual Cleanup Areas to Monitor

If the script does not resolve all issues, KB 78708 and related documentation point to several specific directories that often require manual intervention:

/storage/core: Look for large core.* files. These are memory dumps from crashed processes. If you don't need them for a support case, they can be deleted.

/storage/log/vmware/sso: Check for old localhost_access_log files that may have accumulated over months.

/storage/updatemgr: If you use Update Manager or Lifecycle Manager, old patches and metadata can consume significant space here. Preventing Future Disk Space Issues

To avoid recurring "disk space full" errors, consider the following maintenance steps:

Configure Log Rotation: Ensure your syslog settings are not set to "verbose" unless you are actively troubleshooting.

Monitor Disk Usage: Set up alarms in vCenter to notify you when partition usage exceeds 80%.

Regular Patching: VMware often releases updates that improve log management and automatic cleanup routines.

Increase Disk Size: If your environment has grown significantly, you can use the vSphere Client to increase the size of the virtual disks (VMDKs) attached to the appliance, then use the vpxd-service-control tools to expand the logical partitions.

By following the guidance in KB 78708, administrators can quickly restore functionality to their vSphere environment without needing to redeploy the entire management server. Always ensure you are viewing the most recent version of the article on the official VMware (Broadcom) Support portal for the latest script updates.

VMware Knowledge Base article 78708 provides critical instructions for installing VMware Tools on older Windows operating systems, specifically Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Summary of KB 78708

The article addresses a common installation failure where the VMware Tools installer (version 11.1.x and newer) requires the guest OS to support SHA-2 code signing. Without specific Microsoft updates, the installer cannot verify driver signatures and will fail. Required Steps to Fix The string kbvmware s article 78708 free suggests

To resolve this issue and successfully install VMware Tools for free, you must manually download and install two specific Microsoft security updates on your virtual machine: KB4474419: SHA-2 code signing support update. KB4490628: Servicing stack update (SSU). Standard Procedure:

Download these updates using a web browser within the guest OS (note that older versions of Internet Explorer may fail; using an alternative like Chrome is recommended). Install both updates and restart the virtual machine.

Mount the VMware Tools installer again and proceed with the installation as normal.

For the most up-to-date downloads and official documentation, you can visit the Broadcom Support Portal. VMware tools fail to install on Windows 7 Guest | Fusion

The original request seeks information regarding a VMware knowledge base article (78708) for a free product. The provided content does not address this query.

VMware Knowledge Base article 78708 provides a workaround for VMware Tools installation failures on legacy Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 systems caused by missing SHA-2 code signing support. Users must install specific Microsoft updates, such as KB4474419, to enable SHA-2 support before running the VMware Tools installer. Read the full details on the Broadcom community forum VMware Community Forum Broadcom Community

VMware Knowledge Base article 78708 provides a free, manual solution for installing VMware Tools on legacy Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 systems, which fail due to missing SHA-2 code-signing support. The fix requires manually installing Microsoft updates KB4474419 and KB4490628 to enable signature verification, allowing tools installation to proceed. For more details, visit Broadcom Community. VMware tools fail to install on Windows 7 Guest | Fusion

VMware Knowledge Base Article 78708 details that VMware Tools installations fail on legacy Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 systems due to a lack of SHA-2 code signing support. Resolving this requires installing specific Microsoft security updates, such as KB4474419, to enable SHA-2 support before installing the tools. Read the full details on addressing the installation failure at VMware TechDocs vmexplorer Tips for installing Windows 7 x32 SP1 on Workstation 16.1.2 16-Nov-2021 —

VMware KB article 78708 addresses failures installing VMware Tools on older Windows systems, such as Windows 7 SP1 and Server 2008 R2, which lack necessary SHA-2 code signing support. Resolving this issue requires manually installing Microsoft updates KB4474419 and KB4490628 to enable the required SHA-2 signature verification. For details on troubleshooting, visit Broadcom Support Portal. VMware tools fail to install on Windows 7 Guest | Fusion

VMware KB 78708 addresses installation failures of VMware Tools 11.1.x and newer on Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, caused by a required shift to SHA-2 code signing. The article dictates installing specific Microsoft patches (KB4474419 and KB4490628) to enable SHA-2 support and ensure continued compatibility for legacy virtual machines. For details, visit Broadcom TechDocs. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more VMware tools fail to install on Windows 7 Guest | Fusion

Headline: Is your VCSA backup failing? KB 78708 might be the fix you need. 🛑

If you've been staring at a failed backup job for your vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA), you aren't alone. One of the most frustrating errors occurs when the backup mechanism fails due to snapshot limitations or stale snapshot references.

I stumbled across VMware KB 78708 recently while troubleshooting a persistent backup failure, and it’s a goldmine for a specific edge case that often gets overlooked.

The Takeaway: Often, the issue isn't with the backup software itself, but how vCenter handles the snapshot creation process during the backup window. The KB details how to check for stale snapshots and, crucially, how to manually intervene without breaking your backup chain. # Restart management agents on an ESXi host /etc/init

Why this matters: Backup verification is the unsung hero of IT. If your VCSA backup is failing silently, you are one power outage away from a very bad day.

Read the full details here: [Link to KB 78708]

#VMware #vSphere #VCSA #SysAdmin #DisasterRecovery #ITInfrastructure

Summary

Symptoms

Cause

Resolution

Free Workaround (step-by-step)

  • If snapshots exist, consolidate or delete redundant snapshots:
  • Ensure virtual hardware compatibility is set to a supported level (e.g., Hardware Version 14 or as recommended).
  • Re-upload the .vmx and register the VM, then attempt power-on.
  • If storage driver mismatch suspected, reboot the host after maintenance and verify datastore accessibility.
  • As a last resort, create a new VM with identical settings and attach the existing virtual disk(s).

    • Validation

    When to contact support

    References

    If this matches your need I can expand into a full formal KB article, provide exact CLI commands for your ESXi version, or tailor it to ESXi 6.7/7.0/8.0—tell me which.

    [Invoking related search terms]

    VMware Knowledge Base Article 78708, now updated to 320066, outlines that installing VMware Tools 11.x or newer on older Windows systems requires manual installation of SHA-2 code signing support. Without applying Microsoft updates KB4474419 and KB4490628, the installation fails due to an inability to verify driver signatures. For the full, updated article, visit Broadcom Support Portal Broadcom TechDocs