ESXi 5.0 Console??

[Leathal]

Hi,

I have ESXi 5.0 installed on my Dell 2950 III, when I press ALT+F1 once the server has started I only see "ESXi 5.0.0 http://www.vmare.com" and the Copyright information just below it. I don't see any login prompt. I have tried entering Root and the password for argument sake but that does nothing. So how do I get to the console on ESXi 5.0?

I need to update the Dell RAID drivers on my server.

Thanks

Andrew

[Troy_Clavell]

hitting F2 should bring you to a login prompt.  Once in, you can navigate through the DCUI.  What is it you are trying to configure?  You can also use the vSphere Client to administer your host.

[Leathal]

Thanks.

I am trying update my RAID drivers as talked about in this blog:

http://blog.rebelit.net/?p=283

[Troy_Clavell]

if following the directions in the blog, did you download and install the vSphere CLI?

[Leathal]

Yes but I get stuck on the "vicfg-hostops.pl -server–operation enter" gives me an error message and I don't know why..

[Leathal]

I just realized now it needs two dashs for the options and not one. so --server --operation..

But I am stuck on the esxcli command, it tells me "connect to software failed: connection failure" any ideas?

[GaneshNetworks]

To enter maintenance mode

1 Run vicfg-hostops <conn_options> --operation enter to enter maintenance mode.

2 Run vicfg-hostops <conn_options> --operation info to check whether the host is in maintenance mode or in the Entering Maintenance Mode state.

Please refer: http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index.jsp?topic=/com.vmware.vcli.examples.doc_50/cli_manage_hosts....

[EDV-Schuster]

you can open the console by pressing Alt + F1 like in the old times.

but you have to START the console before you can use it. (the process is usually stopped)

starting the console-process can be done in 2 ways:

via the console directly on the host:

press F2 (costumize system)

select "troubleshooting options"

select "enable esxi shell"

done

you can also do it via the vsphere-client:

click the tab configuration

click "security profile"

click on the properties for the services (top right on the screen)

select "esxi shell" and click on "options"

the service should be set as "start and stop manually"... thats ok.

now click the START-button and the console is running.

easy-cheesy,

Werner