VMA 6 Root SSH Access

[SayNo2HyperV]

Trying to setup ESXi free UPS shutdown solution just like it did for VMA5.5.  I cannot get VMA 6 to allow root SSH login.

I can login with root locally just fine.  After several attempts via ssh I get locked out of root..even locally 😕

What I've verified and done

/etc/hosts.allow -->  sshd: ALL: ALLOW

/etc/ssh/sshd_config --> PermitRootLogin yes

/etc/init.d/sshd restart

What am I missing?  Thanks.

[SayNo2HyperV]

Found the cause.

In VMA6

/etc/ssh/sshd_config : AllowGroups wheel

Not familiar with this but 2 solutions solve ssh root access problem.

1)  disable it  #AllowGroups wheel

2)  Add root to wheel group,  /usr/sbin/usermod -G wheel root

Not sure which is the appropriate fix as I've never played with "wheels" group.

TTFN