ESX 4/5 – Grant Root User SSH Access
Nov17

ESX 4/5 – Grant Root User SSH Access

for ESXi click here KB ID 0000278  Problem ESX is built on Linux – and in the Linux environment, to root user is denied SSH access, there are valid security reasons for this, and you can SSH to the ESX box as a normal user and then issue the “su -” command to switch to root access. However, some of us still want to SSH in as root, here’s how to do it. Solution 1. Create a user on your ESX Server (Ensure the...

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VMware ESXi 5 – Applying Patches and Updates
Nov17

VMware ESXi 5 – Applying Patches and Updates

(ESXi 5 Update 1 and Patches) KB ID 0000623 Problem When VMware released ESX 4.1, they took away the “Host update utility”, (which was a mistake!). For people without VMware Update Manager, you now have to either put in the CD/DVD and do an ‘in place upgrade’, or grow a ginger pony tail and put some socks/sandals on and do some Linux. Below I’ve got a build of ESX with no updates on it, I’m going to...

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vSphere – Adding a Serial Port to a VM
Nov17

vSphere – Adding a Serial Port to a VM

KB ID 0001039  Problem I wanted to perform command line access to a virtual firewall on my home ESXi server, (a Juniper Firefly vSRX) via a console session. To do that I needed to add a serial port to that VM. Solution 1. From Within the VI client > Select the ESXi Host > Configuration > Security Profile > Firewall Section > Properties. 2. Locate and enable ‘VM serial port connected over network’ > OK. 3....

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HP StorageWorks P2000 – Connecting to and Configuring
Nov17

HP StorageWorks P2000 – Connecting to and Configuring

KB ID 0000569  Problem Normally I simply connect a new MSA to a clients network, and it gets it’s address from DHCP. Then I can get the address for the DHCP Scope, and point my web browser at it. Yesterday I was starting with new virtual infrastructure and had no DHCP. With the G1 and G2 models, you got a console/serial cable and could just terminal in. With the G3 they have replaced the serial socket with a mini USB socket....

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Cisco Catalyst Switches – Set a Management IP and Allow Telnet and Web Management
Nov17

Cisco Catalyst Switches – Set a Management IP and Allow Telnet and Web Management

KB ID 0000614  Problem If you want to manage your Cisco Catalyst switch it’s not always practical to plug a console cable in to change its settings or monitor what it is doing. Putting an IP address on it and enabling remote management via Telnet or from your web browser is a better alternative, particularly if you have a lot of switches. Solution Enable Telnet Management on Cisco Catalyst Switch 1. Connect to the Switch using a...

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