VMware RCLI commands for ESXi

Using the RCLI to configure a VMware ESXi server.... All can be done via the Virtual Infrastructure client but with a little scripting to can easily configure, audit and manage multiple ESX i hosts.

I'll add real world syntax as I figure them out.... Updated 11-5-08

To help identify what command does you can use the --hlep switch wiht any of the pearl scripts.

• vicfg-advcfg.pl - allows for the modification of any of the advanced configuraiton options.

vicfg-advcfg.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --get Cpu.MigratePeriod - returns the value of the Cpu.MigrationPeriod

• vicfg-cfgbackup.pl - can backup and restore ESX settings

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --save rwgood

• Restore the file

vicfg-cfgbackup.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --load rwgood --force

• vicfg-dns.pl allows you to change the DNS seetings of a host
• vicfg-dumppart.pl > helps with the support files
• vicfg-module.pl > allows you to manged the loaded modules
• vicfg-mpath.pl - all sort fo info on the VMFS paths

vicfg-mpath.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --list

• vicfg-nas.pl
• vicfg-nics.pl > configure the phsical NICs in the host
• vicfg-ntp.pl > managed the NTP settings

vicfg-ntp.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --list > List the configured NTP servers on the host
vicfg-ntp.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --add time.gov > Adds time.gov to the ntp configuration
vicfg-ntp.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --delete time.gov > Removes the time.gov from the ntp configuration
vicfg-ntp.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --start > Starts the NTP service on the host
vicfg-ntp.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --stop > Stops the NTP service on the host

• vicfg-rescan.pl > rescanning for VMFS and storage
• vicfg-route.pl
• vicfg-snmp.pl > configure your SNMP settings
• vicfg-syslog.pl > configure the ESX host syslog target
• vicfg-user.pl > local ESX i user management

vicfg-user.pl --server 10.10.1.104 -e user -o add -l Newusername -p password --role admin > This will add the user called Newusername wtih a password of password to the host and give the the permission of admin. --role options are the following admin read-only no-access

vicfg-dns.pl --server 10.10.1.104 > this will show you the DNS settings fo the host

• vicfg-vmhbadevs.pl > all about the HBAs
• vicfg-vmknic.pl > more and same infor for you nics
• vicfg-vswitch.pl > configuring the vSwitches

vicfg-vswitch.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --add mine > adds new vSwitch called mine

vicfg-vswitch.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --add-pg public mine > adds a port group called public to the vSwitch mine

vicfg-vswitch.pl --server nhqesx036 vSwitch1 --pg mine --vlan 100 > This adds a vlan tag of 100 to the port goup mine.

vicfg-vswitch.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --link vmnic1 mine > adds the vmnic1 to the vSwitch called mine

• vifs.pl > used to move files to and from the ESX host
• vihostupdate.pl > updating and patching the ESX i

vihostupdate.pl --server 10.10.1.104 --bundle --install ESXe350-200807812-O-BG.zip > Install the ESXe patch on server 10.10.1.104

NEW - Built a utility to help update visit http://www.itsallvirtua.com/ downloads

vihostupdate.pl --server 10.10.1.104 -q > shows the version of the ESXi host

• vmkfstools.pl > same as alway managing disk
• vmkuptime.pl - does nothing yet
• vms.pl
• vmware-cmd.pl > same as always managing the VMs on the host