Any way to retrieve the vc.uuid from vmtools ?

[gits68]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

May help to autoconfigure zabbix client while using the "VMWare Guest" Template which identifies hosts using their vc.uuid instead of editing the configuration file on every hosts.

# grep ^HostnameItem= /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agent*.conf
HostnameItem=system.run[vmware-toolbox-cmd stat raw text session | awk '/vc.uuid/{print $NF}']

or
HostnameItem=system.run[vmware-toolbox-cmd stat raw json session | jq -r '."vc.uuid"'

Describe the solution you'd like

# vmware-toolbox-cmd stat raw text session
session = -14796381390335328
uptime = 338588675128
version = VMware ESX 7.0.3 build-23307199
provider =
uuid.bios = 42 20 6f a4 2a 8a 54 5b-74 7a 05 5f 1f 22 d0 ce

vc.uuid = 5020efdf-1593-a8ef-27fb-2852a1b10fc2
or
vc.uuid = 50 20 ef df 15 93 a8 ef 27 fb 28 52 a1 b1 0f c2

Describe alternatives you've considered

Fill guestInfo.vc.uuid the same way guestInfo.detailed.data if filled

Additional context

dmidecode doesn't help, only uuid.bios is returned

[johnwvmw]

I have filed an enhancement bug to provide a means to obtain the vm instance id (vc.uuid) from within a running guest VM.

@gits68
Could you provide more details how the vc.uuid would be used in the zabbix agent config file and what benefits are to be gained over the default "system.hostname". A better idea how this woulc or could be used would help add weight to the enhancement request.

Thanks

[gits68]

Hi,

it depends on the template used, "vmware" or "vmware fqdn", the former historically uses vc.uuid to identify hosts while the later uses the hostname.
The format used by zabix is 5020efdf-1593-a8ef-27fb-2852a1b10fc2, probably the one returned by the vmware api.

Usage examples

Case vmware template:
Hostname=5020efdf-1593-a8ef-27fb-2852a1b10fc2
Or vc.uuid if it would be accessible some way
#Hostname=
[vmware-toolbox-cmd stat raw text session | awk '/vc.uuid/{print $NF}']

Case vmware fqdn template:
Hostname=somename
Or
#Hostname=
HostnameItem=system.hostname

PS: Don't remember, but possibly returned the system.hostname by default if all commented
#Hostname=
#HostnameItem=

Regards