Access to host files

[AnonAdmin]

Does anyone know if PowerCLI (version 5.0) can access a hosts file system? I'm looking to regularly copy off a file from each host and I'd rather not enable SSH if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance.

[LucD · Accepted solution]

You can use http/https to access specific files on an ESXi server, see HTTP Access to vSphere Server Files

[AnonAdmin]

Thanks, LucD- unfortunately, I'm looking to get a file that isn't included in this method- namely the shell.log file typically stored in tmp/scratch/.

[jpsider]

Does this link help?

http://www.virtu-al.net/2009/08/17/powercli-reading-host-log-files/

[AnonAdmin]

That's an interesting method, jpsider - but it appears it only yields access to the hostd, vmkernel, and vpxa log files.

[LucD]

Is that log file included in a diagnostics bundle ?

See the Get-Log cmdlet with the Bundle switch

[AnonAdmin]

Actually, I stand corrected - the original method will work! I was incorrectly invoking the URL earlier - the correct path is simply https://ESXhost/host/shell.log

(Note that the literal /tmp/scratch/ path is not necessary) Thank you, LucD!