Connecting to an ESXi Server

You need to connect to ESXi servers for testing and debugging purposes. Use the RSE to add server connections to your VMware Workbench session. If you have not already added the ESXi machine to your list of remote hosts, add it now. If you already have the ESXi machine added to the RSE, you must connect to it before you can install modules.

Add an ESXi Server

1	Display the New Connection dialog box.

With the RSE open in the VMware Workbench, right-click inside the Remote Systems pane and select New > Connection from the menu. (If it is the first time you’ve opened the RSE, and nothing is already selected, the right-click menu will have only two selections: New Connection and Import Connections.

2	Select ESX from the list of system types and click Next.

You can filter your choices by typing ESX in the System type text box before selecting ESX in the list.

3	If the Parent profile drop-down menu has more than one choice, select the profile to use.

4	Supply the host name or IP address in the Host Name text box, or choose one of the ESXi hosts in the drop-down menu (if present).

If you are creating a new connection to a host that is not in the drop-down menu, the Next button becomes available. (Click Next to view the messages.)

5	(Optional) Type in a name in the Connection name text box, if you want it to be different than the host name.

6	(Optional) Type in a description of the ESXi host in the Description text box.

7	Select or deselect the Verify host name check box.

The check box is selected by default. When selected, it checks to see if the host name is a valid name.

8	(Optional) Type in a User Name and Password in the text boxes.

The root user name is the default. You can manage user names and passwords in the Preferences dialog box. See Managing Passwords for instructions on setting and changing passwords.

9	Select or deselect the Save password check box.

The check box is selected by default.

10	Click Finish.

Start the SSH daemon on your remote system

1	In the Remote System Explorer, right-click the target ESXi machine, and select VMware > Configure SSH Service from the menu.

2	In the SSH configuration dialog box, observe the Status.

3	(Optional) If the Status is Stopped, click Start in the Service Commands area and click OK.

Connect to an ESXi server

Once you have added an ESXi machine, you must connect to it. With the remote ESXi host highlighted in the RSE pane, select Connect from right-click menu.

Note If the connection fails with “failed to connect sshd to <the ESXi host>”, the SSH process must be started.

Disconnect from an ESXi Server

If you wish to break the connection to one of the ESXi machines, select the ESXi host in the RSE pane and select Disconnect from the right-click menu.