hello,

can you try accessing vcsa through web console?

vSphere 5.5 Documentation Center

if it works follow the steps in d article to enable ssh.

VMware vSphere 5.1

the steps to access webclient.

Sorry, my mistake.

My VCSA is in 6.0.0, this interface (appliance management user interface) doesn't exist (if I'm correct) on this version. If I try the url, it just doesn't work.

It is only available with the update 1. see this link: Updating vCenter Server Appliance 6.0 to Update 1 - VMware vSphere Blog - VMware Blogs

Here is some screenshots :

I can access to the DCUI and SSH is on :

If I try the local console with the correct password, the console just give me back the prompt:

If I give a wrong password, the console send me this:

On the web interface for vCenter, ssh is also indicated as activated:

And finally, by ssh, I have an access denied (I tried the same password as the one to access DCUI, which should be the same. In any case, I also tried vmware...).

...

I managed to capture what I can see, for not even a second, when I try to login on the local console of VCSA.

If anyone has an idea...

BaptisteR

Did you manage to resolve this? Pretty sure I have exactly the same issue. I have managed to remove the grub password and reset the root pass which works in both web vcsa client and the first vcsa console root prompt. But when i try and SSH or alt-f1 from the console I cant log in. Access denied

Hi,

I had the same issue and I was able to fix it by

logging into the vCenter console and modifying the passwd file

~# vi /etc/passwd

and change the appliancesh to /bin/bash

root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash

Also make sure that ssh access for root is enabled from /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Regards,

Naveen

Technical Support Engineer

VMware, INC

Thanks thefdlord

I think I am almost there. So I originally followed this guide to remove grub and reset root: http://www.unixarena.com/2016/04/reset-grub-root-password-vcsa-6-0.html

After this i was able to change that /etc/passwd root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash as you suggested. Now when I log in via the console (alt f1) I enter root and password and it logs in fine but it doesnt look correct.

I expect to see Last Login/ connected to service/ List APs/Lanuch bash shell etc

But all I see is Last Login and the the command prompt. If i type shell i get -bash: command not found

Hi,

Currently the default shell is set to bash as a work around.

You can verify that by issuing

~# echo $0

If you want the appliance shell just type

~# appliancesh

Note: I have however found that if we change the default shell back to appliance shell (root:x:0:0:root:/root:appliancesh), I am unable to login to the root account. This could be a bug, we will have this validate.

Regards,

Naveen Kumar

Technical Support Engineer

VMware, INC

Cool. So I now have full shell access again. THANKS! What i dont understand is I now have full console vcsa access but Web and SSH using the same root pass give the error unable to authenticate user. Please try again or Access Denied. I have checked via the vcsa console that SSH is enabled. Is this a password expiry thing or a ssh/web service thing?

finally there i think. Just a case of resetting the root password via the vcsa console (f2). now i can access console/ssh/web. that was a right pain in the @rse. I didnt feel at any time the root password was consistent through each part (web/console/ssh)

Awesome bro, thank you so much