How to enable SSH on the vCenter Server Appliance When DCUI Is Disabled and the VAMI Interface Is Inaccessible

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When DCUI is disabled in the VAMI access settings, the Alt + F2 key combination cannot be used to access the vCenter Server web console (DCUI).

When the DCUI option is disabled, the “Press F2 for Customization” prompt is not displayed, and the root login prompt is not available on the console.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.X

VMware vCenter Server 8.X

Resolution

Enabling SSH Access on the vCenter Server Appliance

1. On the vCenter Server Appliance console, switch to the login prompt:

   • Press Alt + F5 when using an external keyboard.

   • Press Alt + Fn + F5 when using a laptop keyboard.

2. Log in as the root user.

3. Access the appliance shell by running the following command and entering the root password when prompted:

   appliancesh

    

4. Verify the current SSH service status:

   ssh.get

    

5. Enable the SSH service:

   ssh.set --enabled true

    

   Note: To disable SSH, use false instead of true.

    

6. Exit the appliance shell:

   exit

    

7. Verify SSH access by attempting to establish an SSH session to the vCenter Server.