Configure VMware ESXi syslog forwarding using Host Profiles

You can configure VMware ESXi to forward syslog data to Arctic Wolf by applying a Host Profile cluster-wide. This method is recommended for large environments.

Note: Cluster-wide Host Profile management might require a VMware Enterprise Plus license, depending on the VMware version and licensing model.

These resources are required:

  • An activated and dedicated Virtual Log Collector (vLC)
    Note: Due to the high event volume observed during Early Access (EA) customer deployments, this integration requires a dedicated vLC to help maintain platform stability and performance and to reduce the risk of service disruptions caused by excessive log volume.
  • Administrator access to VMware ESXi environments through the vSphere Client or ESXi Host Client
  • Network connectivity between VMware systems and the vLC

Configure the reference host

Configure one reference ESXi host to be used for the Host Profile.

  1. Sign in to the VMware vSphere Client with administrator permissions, using the URL format https://vsphere_server/ui.
  2. Navigate to Hosts and Clusters.
  3. Select the applicable ESXi host.
  4. Navigate to Configure > System > Advanced System Settings.
  5. In the Key column filter, search for Syslog.global.logHost.
  6. Set the value to the vLC destination using the format udp://vlc_ip:514.
  7. In the Key column filter, search for Syslog.global.logLevel.
  8. Set the logging level to info.
  9. Save the changes.

Apply the Host Profile

  1. In the vSphere Client, click the main menu.
  2. Navigate to Policies and Profiles > Host Profiles.
  3. Click Extract Host Profile from a Host.
  4. Select the reference ESXi host that you configured.
  5. Create and save the Host Profile.
  6. Attach the Host Profile to the target cluster.
  7. Run Check Compliance, and then run Remediate.

    This action applies the syslog configuration to all ESXi hosts in the cluster.

Provide configuration information to Arctic Wolf

  1. Sign in to the Arctic Wolf Unified Portal.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Tickets & Alerts > All Tickets.
  3. Perform the appropriate action, depending on if you are:
    • A new customer — In the Ticket Type list, select Onboarding. Then, click the existing [Deploy] Site Config: <ticket_subject> ticket.
    • An existing customer — Click Open a New Ticket.
  4. On the Open a New Ticket page, configure these settings:
    • What is this ticket related to? — Select General request.
    • Subject — Enter Syslog changes.
    • Related ticket (optional) — Keep empty.
    • Message — Enter this information for your Concierge Security® Team (CST):
      • Confirmation that you completed the steps in this configuration guide.
      • The IP address or hostname of the Arctic Wolf Sensor that you used during the configuration.
      • The IP address, timezone, and device type for all sources that you are forwarding.
      • Questions or comments that you have.
  5. Click Send Message.

    Your CST reviews the details to make sure that Arctic Wolf is successfully processing the logs.