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notthatotherguy
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root access to ESXi4.1 server does not have permission

trying to install some firmware updates from the terminal window via remote ssh.   i am logged in as root but i get the "permission denied" error every time.

having no luck googleing down some instructions to get around this

thanks

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LucianoPatrão

Hi

Is password correct?

Did you login directly in the ESXi console(with iLO for example) and root and password are working properly?

If the problem is the root password, then you need to reset it.

Even that is not supported by VMware is possible to do it

How to reset the root password of VMware ESXi 4.1 and 5.0 | Bernhard Bock

Reset lost VMWARE ESXi 4.1.0 root password_‏.mp4 - YouTube

Luciano Patrão

VCP-DCV, VCAP-DCV Design 2023, VCP-Cloud 2023
vExpert vSAN, NSX, Cloud Provider, Veeam Vanguard
Solutions Architect - Tech Lead for VMware / Virtual Backups

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Blog: https://www.provirtualzone.com | Twitter: @Luciano_PT
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notthatotherguy
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yes,

root and password are correct.

i can log in both on the system directly its self and via ssh. but with i try to run the firmware update files i get a permission denied responce.

i've been reading that full root access is disabled by default on ESXi4.1 by default, but i haven't been able to find instructions to override that yet.

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LucianoPatrão

Hi,

Need to understand what you are trying to accomplish, because honestly still did not understand.

First: What type of firmware updates are we talking about?

Second: Are you using any ESXi free version?

Third: Please provide some examples of the commands that you are trying to use and dont have permissions to do so.

Last one: When you say root permissions, are you talking about Tech Support Mode??


Luciano Patrão

VCP-DCV, VCAP-DCV Design 2023, VCP-Cloud 2023
vExpert vSAN, NSX, Cloud Provider, Veeam Vanguard
Solutions Architect - Tech Lead for VMware / Virtual Backups

________________________________
If helpful Please award points
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Blog: https://www.provirtualzone.com | Twitter: @Luciano_PT
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notthatotherguy
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Luciano,

i must be running in free mode running in free mode.  i haven't paid for any keys.

i have a IBM Eserver Xseries x3850 that i've bought second hand and all the firmware versions are very out of date. so i have downloaded from the IBM webpage all the updates i could, but they wont run from the remote terminal access.

i can log in as root and do most things from the command line interface. but when i try to run the commands to install the firmware updates like "./brcm_fw_nic_2.2.1a_linux_32-64.bin -s",   i get a permission denied error.

i have remote tech support mode activated

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LucianoPatrão

Hi,

Well running "./brcm_fw_nic_2.2.1a_linux_32-64.bin -s" is not a command, but only you try to run a bin file.

And if I am correct, this is for Linux and this is not how to update firmware NICs in VMware.

This ones are for VMware

https://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=migr-5092895

https://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=migr-5095566

Or you should use a IBM boot tool to update Firmware cards.

Some examples:

http://blogmidwest.helsinkirs.org/broadcom-firmware-update-esxi.html

And cannot find any drivers for 4.1 since is too old. But if yes, it should be a VIB file to update.

Luciano Patrão

VCP-DCV, VCAP-DCV Design 2023, VCP-Cloud 2023
vExpert vSAN, NSX, Cloud Provider, Veeam Vanguard
Solutions Architect - Tech Lead for VMware / Virtual Backups

________________________________
If helpful Please award points
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Blog: https://www.provirtualzone.com | Twitter: @Luciano_PT
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notthatotherguy
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Luciano,

According to the instructions that came with the firmware updates that is what i'm supposed to do.

"2.0 Installation and setup instructions for Linux

      Linux update is packaged as a binary,which allows the user to

      upgrade the firmware silently

   

      Use the command

      ./brcm_fw_nic_<version>_linux_32-64.bin -s"

and if you looked at the links you linked me you'll see they are also downloaded as bin files...

i'm just trying to find out how to get full root access over my ssh terminal connection  so i can run the files.

thanks

EDIT:

ps. i'm not trying to install drivers....    the operating system is running fine with stock software.   i'm trying to install the hardware firmware updates from the installed operating system.   i cant get bootable iso updaters for everything i want to update.

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LucianoPatrão

Hi,

Yes but you running the wrong files.

Those are for Linux, not for VMware. And any bin files with firmware update should always be run with the Update tool provided(by IBM in this case). Unless they are VIB files.

But to run the bin file just chmod 777 brcm_fw_nic_xxxx.bin and try again.

Luciano Patrão

VCP-DCV, VCAP-DCV Design 2023, VCP-Cloud 2023
vExpert vSAN, NSX, Cloud Provider, Veeam Vanguard
Solutions Architect - Tech Lead for VMware / Virtual Backups

________________________________
If helpful Please award points
Thank You
Blog: https://www.provirtualzone.com | Twitter: @Luciano_PT
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notthatotherguy
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Lucaino,

"/vmfs/volumes/5846ba7e-4630ec34-d278-00145e7a0027/vmwarenix # ./brcm_fw_nic_2.4.1c_vmware_x86-64.bin -s

-ash: ./brcm_fw_nic_2.4.1c_vmware_x86-64.bin: Permission denied"

i'm still asking, once again, how to i enable root access properly so i can run this file.... this is all i'm wanting to know.

thanks

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LucianoPatrão

Hi,

Did you change the chmod of the file like I said?

If I remember, there is no root access limitation in 4.1. There is only for non-root users.

Only if your root was set to read-only.

Luciano Patrão

VCP-DCV, VCAP-DCV Design 2023, VCP-Cloud 2023
vExpert vSAN, NSX, Cloud Provider, Veeam Vanguard
Solutions Architect - Tech Lead for VMware / Virtual Backups

________________________________
If helpful Please award points
Thank You
Blog: https://www.provirtualzone.com | Twitter: @Luciano_PT
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notthatotherguy
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the files were already owned by root so i didn't think it would makes a difference....   i did  the chmod 777.. it didn't make a difference

i am logged in as root.. at least what ever the default esxi4.1 considers root....

i cant run these files because i don't have permissions to do so..

what i am trying to find out is what to change so i CAN do so.

i need a brick wall

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