Throwback Skills - Enable SSH on VMware ESX3.5

 

 

So... I found myself the other day needing to SSH into a VMware 3.5 host and was reminded of how spoiled us VMware dudes are these days to be able to enable SSH in the GUI/vCenter etc. as we are in current vSphere versions (4, 4.1, 5. 5.1)

ESXi 3.5 does have the ability to run SSH, but it is disabled.

***Additionally it is not supported by VMware.

So here's the scoop on what you need to do in order to set it up:

Log into the console of the ESXi host and press ALT-F1. This will open the console window.

Once you are in the console window, enter the word "unsupported" and press Enter (Note - You will not see the text your typing)

Following this you will see the a "Tech Support Mode" warning and a prompt for a password. This will be the password for the Root login of the host.

You will be brought to the prompt of ~ #.

 

Now you will need to edit the file named inetd.conf:  To do this enter the command "vi /etc/inetd.conf" (No quotes)

 

Perform the following steps:

Find the line that begins with #ssh and remove the #. then save the file by moving the cursor down to #ssh line and then press the Insert key.

 

Move the cursor over one space and then hit backspace to delete the #.

 

Then press ESC and type in :wq to save the file and exit vi.

 

If you make an error in typing, press the ESC key and then type it :q! to quit vi without saving the file.

The vi editor should be closed now.

Now you just need to restart the management services on the host. Back at the command prompt, run the command /sbin/services.sh restart.

You'll now be able to connect to the ESXi host with a SSH client.

***Of course if all you need to do is perform some command line stuff at the physical console of the ESXi host you can just go the ALT-F1 > Unsupported route and fire away!

Enjoy!