6.5
Table Of Contents
- Getting Started with vSphere Command-Line Interfaces
- Contents
- About This Book
- Managing vSphere with Command-Line Interfaces
- Installing vCLI
- Running Host Management Commands in the ESXi Shell
- Running vCLI Host Management Commands
- Overview of Running vCLI Host Management Commands
- Protecting Passwords
- Authenticating Through vCenter Server and vCenter Single Sign-On
- Authenticating Directly to the Host
- Trust Relationship Requirement for ESXCLI Commands
- Common Options for vCLI Host Management Command Execution
- Using vCLI Commands in Scripts
- Run Host Management Commands from a Windows System
- Run Host Management Commands from a Linux System
- Running DCLI Commands
- Index
Use the Local ESXi Shell
After you enable the ESXi Shell in the direct console, you can use it from the main direct console screen or
remotely through a serial port.
Procedure
1 At the main direct console screen, press Alt-F1 to open a virtual console window to the host.
2 Provide credentials when prompted.
When you enter the password, characters are not displayed on the console.
3 Enter shell commands to perform management tasks.
4 To log out, enter exit in the shell.
5 To return to the direct console, press Alt-F2.
What to do next
See the vSphere Installation and Setup documentation for information on serial port setup.
Remote ESXi Shell Access with SSH
If SSH connections are enabled for your ESXi host, you can run shell commands by using a Secure Shell
client such as SSH or PuTTY.
Enable SSH Access in the Direct Console
By default, remote command execution is disabled on an ESXi host, and you cannot log in to the host by
using a remote shell. You can enable remote command execution from the direct console or from the
vSphere Web Client.
Prerequisites
Procedure
1 At the direct console of the ESXi host, press F2 and provide credentials when prompted.
2 Scroll to Troubleshooting Options and press Enter.
3 Choose Enable SSH and press Enter.
On the left, Enable SSH changes to Disable SSH. On the right, SSH is Disabled changes to SSH is
Enabled.
4 Press Esc until you return to the main direct console menu.
What to do next
After you have enabled SSH, you can log in to the ESXi Shell remotely and run ESXi Shell commands.
Enable SSH from the vSphere Web Client
By default, remote command execution is disabled on an ESXi host, and you cannot log in to the host by
using a remote shell. You can enable remote command execution from the direct console or from the
vSphere Web Client.
Procedure
1 Select the host, click Manage, and keep selected.
2 Click Security .
Chapter 3 Running Host Management Commands in the ESXi Shell
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