How to set the VCH root password

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to set the VCH root Password.

• You can use the vic-machine debug command to enable shell access to a virtual container host (VCH) endpoint VM by setting a root password on the VM. Setting a root password enables access to the VCH endpoint VM via the VM console only.
• After the VCH has been deployed you can set the root password for debug purposes.

Symptoms:

•  

Environment

VMware vSphere Integrated Containers 1.x

Resolution

1. Log into the machine where you have downloaded the vic-machine binaries.
2. Navigate to the directory where all the binaries are stored.
3. Run a command similar to the following to set a root password : 

vic-machine-operating_system debug \
--target vcenter_server_or_esxi_host_address \
--user vcenter_server_or_esxi_host_username \
--password vcenter_server_or_esxi_host_password \
--id vch_id \
--thumbprint certificate_thumbprint \
--rootpw 'new_p@ssword' \

Additional Information

Enable shell access to the VCH Endpoint VM

Impact/Risks:

• Any changes that you make to a VCH by using vic-machine debug are non-persistent and are discarded if the VCH endpoint VM reboots.