Setting MOTD for SSH sessions permanently

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• SSH MOTD is not persistent. Reverts to default after reboot of ESX host.
• Customer has requirements to display the Company's MOTD for SSH access to ESXi hosts. 
• Setting it in /etc/motd then performing a reboot it reverts to the default banner/motd.

Environment

ESXi 8.x

Cause

This is by design. The /etc/ folder is extracted from a secure environment and cannot be updated directly.

Resolution

You can set the MOTD in ESXi advanced settings: 

1. Host->Configure->System->Advanced System Settings
2. Then set the Setting for Config.etc.motd with the message as the value.

 

See the Tech Docs for Vmware vSphere 8.0 ESXi Advanced System Settings.

Additional Information

To insert new lines or returns into the issues and motd configurations, you can use both the vSphere API and CLI. Newlines cannot be added in the UI.

For example, see William Lam's articles:

• "Adding a customized notification banner in the vsphere UI" 
• "Easily manage ESXi & VCSA SSH login banner & MOTD in vSphere 6.0."