Enable console and remote access of VMware ESXi[VMware Guide]

If you have experience on VMware ESXi 4.0, you properly know the "mini-console" can be enabled by Alt-F1 and type "unsupported".  However, in ESXi 4.1, VMware has made our life easier by adding options to ESXi "bios-like" console. Let's see how to get it done.


Use remote console like HP iLO or sit in front of your ESXi Server,

Press "F2"

Fill in your root password

Select " Troubleshooting Options" and press "Enter"

Select "Enable Local Tech Support" and press "Enter". This will enable you to access ESXi local console.

Select "Remote Tech Support (SSH)" and press enter. This will enable you to access ESXi by SSH remotely.

After all steps above, you can try to access ESXi remotely like following:

you can type commands you like here.

Next time, I will show you how to control a virtual machine on ESXi without using vSphere Client. Stay tuned.