How to enable SSH service on vCenter Server Appliance

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

This article provides the steps to enable SSH service on the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) where the SSH service is disabled.

Resolution

Option 1: Using vCenter Server Management Interface (VAMI)

1. Access VAMI (https://VCSA_IP_ADDRESS:5480) in a browser.
2. Log in with root credentials.
3. Select Access on the left menu.
4. Click the EDIT.
5. Turn on "Activate SSH Login".
6. Click OK.

Option 2: Using the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI) of the VCSA

1. Access the Host Client of the ESXi host where the VCSA is running.
2. Log in with root credentials.
3. Click "Virtual Machines" on the Navigator.
4. Select the VCSA virtual machine in the list.
5. Select Actions > Console > Open browser console.
6. Click inside the opened console and press the Enter key to activate the web console.
   Note: Upon activation, the top half of the console turns gray and the bottom half turns blue.
7. Press F2 key to show the login window, and log in with root credentials.
8. Select "Troubleshooting Mode Options".
9. Select "Enable SSH".
   Note: Once enabled, the option text "Enable SSH" changes to "Disable SSH" as shown below.