> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Diagnostic Tooling Server vs Cloud

> Explains differences in diagnostic tooling and support artifacts for GitHub Enterprise Server versus GitHub Enterprise Cloud, and what evidence to gather when filing support cases.

Understanding the difference in diagnostic tooling between GitHub Enterprise Server (self-hosted) and GitHub Enterprise Cloud (hosted) is essential for administrators and support engineers. The key distinction is ownership of the infrastructure:

* GitHub Enterprise Server = you own the servers and must collect diagnostic evidence.
* GitHub Enterprise Cloud = GitHub owns the infrastructure; you provide context so GitHub Support can find relevant traces.

Think of it this way: GitHub Enterprise Server is like owning a house — when a pipe bursts you take photos and show the plumber exactly where the leak is. GitHub Enterprise Cloud is like living in a managed building — the building team can access centralized systems themselves; they only need precise context (which tenant, when, and what happened) to find the root cause.

## GitHub Enterprise Server (self-hosted)

When you run GitHub Enterprise Server, you have direct access to the appliance and must gather diagnostic artifacts for troubleshooting and for GitHub Support.

Key points:

* Run diagnostics over SSH as the `admin` user.
* Use `ghe-support-bundle` to collect system logs, database diagnostics, Git repository health checks, and configuration state into a compressed tarball.
* Use `ghe-support-bundle -u` to upload the bundle to an open GitHub Support ticket.
* Use `ghe-diagnostics` for a quick JSON-style report (disk usage, memory pressure, and other immediate indicators).

Example SSH session and commands:

```bash theme={null}
admin@ghes.acme.com

$ ssh -p 122 admin@ghes.acme.com
$ ghe-support-bundle

Collecting system logs
Collecting database diagnostics
Checking git repository health
Capturing configuration state
Wrote support-bundle-20260314.tgz  (compressed)

$ ghe-support-bundle -u

Uploaded to open support ticket #48213

$ ghe-diagnostics
# (prints a JSON report of immediate system health indicators)
```

Common commands quick reference:

| Command | Purpose |
| - | - |
| `ghe-support-bundle` | Collects logs, DB diagnostics, repo health, configuration |
| `ghe-support-bundle -u` | Collects and uploads bundle to an open support ticket |
| `ghe-diagnostics` | Outputs immediate system health indicators (JSON-style) |
| `ssh -p <port> admin@<hostname>` | Connect to the appliance as admin to run diagnostics |

## GitHub Enterprise Cloud (hosted)

For GitHub Enterprise Cloud you cannot generate support bundles because you do not control the underlying servers. GitHub Support engineers already have access to the hosting infrastructure, so they rely on the context you provide to filter their internal logs and trace problems.

What to provide when filing a support case:

* Your organization (and if applicable, repository/team) name.
* Precise timestamps (start and end) for when the issue occurred — timezone noted.
* Full API request and response bodies (including headers) if the issue relates to API calls.
* For UI performance, timeouts, or intermittent network errors: a HAR file (HTTP Archive) captured from your browser.

Capture a HAR file from the browser’s Network tab while reproducing the issue. A HAR records the exact network conversation (requests, responses, headers, timings) so support can trace the problem quickly.

![A slide titled "Cloud – Give Them the Context" explaining that UI performance and timeout issues can be diagnosed by exporting a HAR file (HTTP archive). It shows a mock browser network tab with request names, status codes and timings, and notes that HAR files record the exact network conversation to help support trace issues.](https://mintcdn.com/kodekloud-c4ac6d9a/IdpF6mT8Tun72cng/images/GitHub-Administration-Certification/Administration-and-Support/Diagnostic-Tooling-Server-vs-Cloud/har-export-network-trace-ui-timeouts.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=IdpF6mT8Tun72cng\&q=85\&s=09e99c5bd96e410344032361e2aaca35)

When capturing a [HAR file](https://w3c.github.io/web-performance/specs/HAR/Overview.html), include the exact time range when the issue occurred, and reproduce the problem while the Network tab is recording. Attach the HAR and any relevant API request/response bodies to your support case.

## Comparison at a glance

| Area | GitHub Enterprise Server (self-hosted) | GitHub Enterprise Cloud (hosted) |
| - | - | - |
| Infrastructure access | You manage the appliance and logs | GitHub manages hosting |
| Support artifact | `ghe-support-bundle` (tarball) | You provide context; GitHub extracts traces |
| Immediate diagnostics | `ghe-diagnostics` on the appliance | Not available to tenants |
| What Support needs from you | Support bundle, logs, timestamps | Org/repo, exact timestamps, API payloads, HAR files |
| Typical use cases | Disk, DB, repo integrity, config issues | UI timeouts, API errors, account-level incidents |

## Exam tip and quick summary

* Support bundles are exclusive to GitHub Enterprise Server. If asked how to generate a support bundle for GitHub Enterprise Cloud, the correct answer is that you cannot.
* For GitHub Enterprise Server: connect via SSH and use `ghe-support-bundle` and `ghe-diagnostics`.
* For GitHub Enterprise Cloud: provide precise context — organization name, exact timestamps, complete API request/response payloads, and HAR files for UI/network issues.
* Always reproduce issues while recording and capture timestamps in UTC or clearly state the timezone.

Further reading and references:

* HAR file specification: [https://w3c.github.io/web-performance/specs/HAR/Overview.html](https://w3c.github.io/web-performance/specs/HAR/Overview.html)
* GitHub Enterprise documentation and support: [https://docs.github.com/](https://docs.github.com/) and [https://support.github.com/](https://support.github.com/)

> [card] [Watch Video](https://learn.kodekloud.com/user/courses/github-administration-certification/module/dd75e8c3-9cc0-462c-8bdd-8ad78690d5dc/lesson/09560bee-16f2-4495-a8ff-96f8faf2ade8)


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