Enabling the root user for the vSphere Management Assistant

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to enable the root user for the vSphere Management Assistant (vMA).

Environment

VMware vSphere Management Assistant 4.1
VMware vSphere Management Assistant 5.5
VMware vSphere Management Assistant 4.0.x

Resolution

To enable the root account in vMA:

1. Log in to vMA as the vi-admin user.
2. Run this command to open the passwd file:
   
   sudo vi /etc/passwd
   
   
3. Locate the entry similar to:
   
   root:x:0:0:root:/root:/sbin/nologin
   
   
4. Change this entry to:
   
   root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash
   
   
5. Save and close the file.
6. Log out from vMA and log in again as the vi-admin user.
7. Run this command and enter the new root password:
   
   sudo passwd root
   
   You should now be able to log in to vMA using the root account.