In this post, I’ll walk you through the installation step by step, with screenshots for every important click along the way. Whether you’re setting up a lab or preparing for production, these pictures will make sure you don’t miss a thing. Let’s dive in!
Mount ISO image and run installer
Deploy new vCenter Server
Check “I accept the terms of the license agreement.”
Fill the ESXi host DNS name/IP or vCenter DNS/IP + credentials.
Accept the certificate
Provide a new vCenter VM Name and root password.
Choose deployment size based on your environment.
Pick datastore where the new vCenter will be deployed.
Fill all the netwok details.
Final review before deployment.
Deployment in progress
Stage 2
choose “Setup”
Continue with Stage 2
Fill vCenter configuration, DNS servers, NTP’s, Allow/disallow SSH access.
Create new or join existing SSO domain.
Configure CEIP
Review
Warning as after this point there is no way back.
Stage 2 deployment and configuration
Stage 2 progress
Stage 2 completed. Click on the link…
Accept SSL certificate as the initial SSL certificate is self-signed.
The VCF Download Tool is a handy CLI that makes grabbing and managing VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) bits a breeze. You’ll get commands to download, upload, list, and clean up binaries and metadata for your VCF releases, plus easy setup, teardown, and running of the Update Manager Download Service (UMDS). In short, it’s your one-stop utility for getting VCF artifacts ready and keeping them in shape.
Where to start
Prepare correct download token which belongs to Site ID in Broadcom portal, where is valid VCF licences. Otherwise it fails to download. Save the token to txt file in your home directory for example “downloadtoken.txt”. I am doing all the commands on linux machine. For windows follow official KB https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/401373/vcf-download-tool-under-windows-os.html which will guide how to install WSL (Windows subsystem for Linux) and you can continue with next step.
Download & Extract the VCF Download tool
I created directory in my home folder called “vcfd” ( “mkdir ~/vcfd“. Then I download the VCF Download tool “vcf-download-tool-9.0.0.0.24703747.tar.gz” from broadcom.com website into the “vcfd” folder. Also I moved my “downloadtoken.txt” into the “/data” folder “mv ~/downloadtoken.txt /data“
Extract the tar.gz file
Go to the “vcfd” directory with command “cd ~/vcf” and extract the vcf-download-tool-9.0.0.0.24703747.tar.gz archive.
tar -xf vcf-download-tool-9.0.0.0.24703747.tar.gz
VCF Downlaod Tool CLI usage
to get basic help just run the command “vcf-download-tool” without parameters or with “-h” or “–help”.
./vcf-download-tool -h
*********Welcome to VMware Cloud Foundation Download Tool***********
Version: 9.0.0.0.24703747
Usage:
vcf-download-tool [-hv] [COMMAND]
Description:
The VCF Download Tool is a command-line interface (CLI) utility designed to simplify the management of binaries and metadata for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environments. It provides a suite of
commands for downloading, uploading, listing, and cleaning up binaries, enabling efficient management of software components for VCF releases. The tool also supports the installation,
uninstallation, and execution of the Update Manager Download Service (UMDS). With its comprehensive features, the VCF Download Tool helps streamline the process of preparing, managing, and
maintaining VCF-related artifacts in your environment.
-h, --help Displays a help message that provides information about the command and its available options, and then exits the tool.
-v, --version Displays the version information of the VCF Download Tool and then exits the tool.
Commands:
binaries Management of the binaries files within the system.
metadata Management of the metadata files within the system.
releases Operations related to the VCF releases.
umds Manage the installation and execution of the UMDS (Update Manager Download Service) tool.
More help
pick one of the command “binaries|metadata|releases|umds” and add “-h” at the end. For example:
./vcf-download-tool binaries -h
*********Welcome to VMware Cloud Foundation Download Tool***********
Version: 9.0.0.0.24703747
Usage:
vcf-download-tool binaries [-h] [COMMAND]
Description:
Management of the binaries files within the system.
-h, --help Displays a help message that provides information about the command and its available options, and then exits the tool.
Commands:
download Download all the necessary files. The command supports filtering to narrow down the selection of binaries based on the customer intent. At least one filter is required. In
addition to the binaries, it also downloads all of the needed metadata. However, UMDS binaries are excluded from the download. When executed multiple times with the same
output directory, the command’s behavior is cumulative, adding to previously downloaded binaries without overwriting them.
upload Uploads the downloaded binaries into the SDDC Manager. In addition to the binaries, it will also upload the necessary metadata, ensuring that all relevant information is
properly integrated into the SDDC Manager system. As a prerequisite, the downloaded binaries need to be transferred to the SDDC Manager appliance and the command must be
executed from within the SDDC Manager appliance.
list Provides a comprehensive view of all available binaries. Similar to the download binaries command, it supports filtering options to help you narrow down the list based on
your specific needs. At least one filter is required. When executed, the command will display detailed information for each binary, including key details such as the
component name, version number, release date, size and type. This allows you to quickly assess the contents of the depot, making it easier to identify which binaries are
relevant to your requirements before downloading.
cleanup This command helps you efficiently manage disk space by removing unwanted or obsolete binaries, while retaining the ones you still need. It ensures that only the selected
binaries are deleted, giving you full control over what remains on your system. It is designed to be run on a system where binaries have already been downloaded.
create-download-spec Generates a download specification file based on the planned upgrades for a specific domain within the environment. This spec file contains the necessary details to identify
which binaries are required for the planned upgrades. Once created, the spec file can be used as an input parameter for the download binaries command, ensuring that only
the relevant binaries for the upgrade process are downloaded. The command must be run from within the SDDC Manager appliance, as it relies on the environment's upgrade
plan to generate the correct spec file. This streamlines the download process by focusing only on the needed binaries for the upgrade.
1) Downlaod VCF files needed for VCF installer offline depot
2) How to download all VCF files with VCF download tool.
1) Download VCF files for VCF Installer
This will download only files needed by VCF installer for offline depot. To download all skip to next chapter 😉
Be aware that it will download all required files for full VCF 9. installation. In my case it requires around 82GB on disk(folder). And my target destination for the downloaded files will be /data folder where is 100GB free space.
Start downloading VCF 9 files.
You need to specify what you want to do (download) , the version, depot download token and destination. Token needs to be in txt for example “downloadtoken.txt”
cd bin
./vcf-download-tool binaries download --vcf-version 9.0.0 --automated-install --depot-download-token-file=/data/downloadtoken.txt --depot-store=/data
Progress / Output
root@workstation:/data/bin# ./vcf-download-tool binaries download --vcf-version 9.0.0 --automated-install --depot-download-token-file=/data/downloadtoken.txt --depot-store=/data
*********Welcome to VMware Cloud Foundation Download Tool***********
Version: 9.0.0.0.24703747
Validating depot credentials.
Depot credentials are valid.
Downloading unified release manifest file.
Successfully downloaded unified release manifest file.
Downloading product version catalog file.
Successfully downloaded product version catalog file.
Downloading vSAN HCL file.
vSAN HCL file is up to date, no download required.
Downloading compatibility data.
Successfully downloaded compatibility data.
Binaries to be downloaded:
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ID | Component | Component Full Name | Version | Release Date | Size | Type
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c90008b8-3e0d-5556-a264-3cfdb4367286 | VCENTER | VMware vCenter | 9.0.0.0.24755230 | 06/17/2025 | 12.0 GiB | INSTALL
3638057e-6e1d-53ae-a663-de3e46889685 | VCENTER | VMware vCenter | 9.0.0.0.24755230 | 06/17/2025 | 28.8 GiB | PATCH
094257b5-5b54-5199-9ebb-562c59a1f47a | NSX_T_MANAGER | VMware NSX | 9.0.0.0.24733063 | 06/17/2025 | 10.0 GiB | INSTALL
ba5663e4-9ad9-5d42-b907-e17890485f14 | NSX_T_MANAGER | VMware NSX | 9.0.0.0.24733063 | 06/17/2025 | 7.9 GiB | PATCH
4c87b25f-d6d1-57bd-946e-ab39fd9004b3 | SDDC_MANAGER_VCF | SDDC Manager | 9.0.0.0.24703748 | 06/17/2025 | 2.0 GiB | INSTALL
97e77a83-03c2-4ccd-bcd4-4289cf76eb00 | SDDC_MANAGER_VCF | SDDC Manager | 9.0.0.0.24703748 | 06/17/2025 | 2.1 GiB | PATCH
22f49cc3-357f-5d2d-94ad-bf78ed7c0996 | VCF_OPS_CLOUD_PROXY | VMware Cloud Foundation Operations Collector | 9.0.0.0.24695833 | 06/17/2025 | 2.7 GiB | INSTALL
244dcbc0-d592-540c-893a-95eb07877a23 | VRA | VMware Cloud Foundation Automation | 9.0.0.0.24701403 | 06/17/2025 | 21.2 GiB | INSTALL
0d842757-c7a6-55a5-a73d-9d07eb4d1269 | VRA | VMware Cloud Foundation Automation | 9.0.0.0.24701403 | 06/17/2025 | 21.2 GiB | PATCH
28ca23b6-4688-53ae-af9c-ae1d4d50d9f1 | VROPS | VMware Cloud Foundation Operations | 9.0.0.0.24695812 | 06/17/2025 | 2.6 GiB | INSTALL
4c209b46-cc8a-5604-978f-70d8dc1014d3 | VRSLCM | VMware Cloud Foundation Operations fleet management | 9.0.0.0.24695816 | 06/17/2025 | 1.5 GiB | INSTALL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 elements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Validating available free space.
Required disk space: 81704.3, available disk space : 99269.4
Successfully validated available free space.
Starting binaries download.
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Binary Download Summary:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component | Component Full Name | Version | Image Type | Status
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSX_T_MANAGER | VMware NSX | 9.0.0.0.24733063 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
VCENTER | VMware vCenter | 9.0.0.0.24755230 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
SDDC_MANAGER_VCF | SDDC Manager | 9.0.0.0.24703748 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
SDDC_MANAGER_VCF | SDDC Manager | 9.0.0.0.24703748 | PATCH | SUCCESS
NSX_T_MANAGER | VMware NSX | 9.0.0.0.24733063 | PATCH | SUCCESS
VCF_OPS_CLOUD_PROXY | VMware Cloud Foundation Operations Collector | 9.0.0.0.24695833 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
VCENTER | VMware vCenter | 9.0.0.0.24755230 | PATCH | SUCCESS
VROPS | VMware Cloud Foundation Operations | 9.0.0.0.24695812 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
VRSLCM | VMware Cloud Foundation Operations fleet management | 9.0.0.0.24695816 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
VRA | VMware Cloud Foundation Automation | 9.0.0.0.24701403 | INSTALL | SUCCESS
VRA | VMware Cloud Foundation Automation | 9.0.0.0.24701403 | PATCH | SUCCESS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 SUCCESS | 0 FAILED | 0 ALREADY_DOWNLOADED
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Successfully downloaded 11 binaries.
Log file: /data/log/vdt.log
At the end you should see “11 SUCCESS | 0 FAILED | 0 ALREADY_DOWNLOADED“.
And now you have all your downloded files in one place (/data).
2) Download all VCF 9 installation files
to download all the VCF related files you will need much more space. Currently it’s required 134GB available space. Otherwise you will receive this error
Validating available free space.
Required disk space: 133797.2, available disk space : 100316.1
ERROR:
Available disk space on user specified directory: /data2 is 100316.1 MB, Required disk space to download bundles 133797.2 MB.
So I added another 200GB disk and mounted it under /data2 folder.
Managing virtual network interfaces (vNICs) effectively is crucial for VMware administrators who want to optimize their virtual infrastructure. It’s important to note that modifying a VM’s in-guest virtual networking adapter link speed addresses OS or application-level limitations related to the default detected 10Gb speed of the vmxnet3 adapter. However, keep in mind that the actual network speed available to the VM is still limited by the physical hardware components, such as the host CPU and physical NICs.
Introducing the vNIC Link Speed PowerShell Script
I’ve developed a straightforward PowerShell script leveraging VMware’s PowerCLI to automate setting vNIC link speeds for your virtual machines.
How It Works
This script allows you to:
Select your virtual machine by name.
Choose the desired link speed (10,000 Mbps, 25,000 Mbps, 40,000 Mbps, or 65,000 Mbps). You can modify this script and set the speed between 10,000 Mbs and 65,000 Mbs.
Verify the power state of the VM and optionally power it off safely.
Automatically apply the new link speed settings to all vNICs of type vmxnet3.
Check and confirm the applied settings.
Requirements
Before you begin, ensure you have:
VMware PowerCLI installed and connected to your vCenter server.
Administrative privileges on vCenter and your VMs.
Usage Example
Here’s how easy it is to run the script:
PS> .\vNIC-LinkSpeed.ps1
The script will prompt you to enter the VM name and select your desired link speed from a simple menu. Verify the power state of the VM, prompting you to shut it down if necessary. If you choose not to power off the VM, the script will exit.
script output
In my case I change the link speed for my virtual ESXi.
Why Use This Script?
Efficiency: Automates repetitive tasks, saving you valuable time.
Reliability: Ensures consistent configuration across all vNICs.
Flexibility: Easily adaptable to any environment and extendable for future requirements.
Download and Customize
You can download and customize the script from my GitHub repository https://github.com/musil/vSphere_scripts (direct link to file -> vNIC-LinkSpeed.ps1 ), or copy it directly from this blog post and adapt it according to your specific needs.
<#
.SYNOPSIS
This script sets the link speed for all vNICs of a specified VM to a user-selected value.
.DESCRIPTION
This script modifies the advanced settings of the specified VM's vNICs to set a new link speed.
.AUTHOR
Stanislav Musil
.VERSION
1.0
.DATE
2024-06-28
.PARAMETER vmName
The name of the virtual machine.
.PARAMETER linkSpeed
The desired link speed for the virtual machine's vNICs.
This parameter specifies the speed (in Mbps) to set for each vNIC.
.NOTES
Requirements: PowerCLI module installed and connected to vCenter.
KB: https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/368812/how-to-change-the-vmxnet3-link-speed-of.html
.EXAMPLE
Show how to run the script, e.g.:
PS> .\vNIC-LinkSpeed.ps1
#>
# Variables
$vmName = Read-Host "Enter the name of the VM"
$options = @(10000, 25000, 40000, 65000)
Write-Host "Select a link speed from the options below:"
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $options.Count; $i++) {
Write-Host "$($i+1)): $($options[$i])"
}
$selected = Read-Host "Enter the number for your desired link speed"
if (($selected -as [int]) -and ($selected -ge 1) -and ($selected -le $options.Count)) {
$linkSpeed = $options[$selected - 1]
Write-Host "You selected: $linkSpeed"
} else {
Write-Host "Invalid selection. Exiting."
exit
}
# Get the VM object
$vm = Get-VM -Name $vmName
# Check VM PowerState
if ($vm.PowerState -ne "PoweredOff") {
Write-Host "VM '$vmName' is currently $($vm.PowerState)."
$response = Read-Host "Do you want to shut down the VM now? (y/n)"
if ($response -eq 'y') {
Stop-VM -VM $vm -Confirm:$false
Write-Host "Waiting for VM to power off..."
while ((Get-VM -Name $vmName).PowerState -ne "PoweredOff") {
Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
Write-Host "Still waiting for VM to power off..."
}
Write-Host "VM is now powered off."
} else {
Write-Host "Please power off the VM and run the script again."
break
}
}
# Get all network adapters (NICs) on the VM
$nics = Get-NetworkAdapter -VM $vm
# Loop through each NIC and set the corresponding advanced setting
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $nics.Count; $i++) {
$nic = $nics[$i]
$settingKey = "ethernet$($i).linkspeed"
if ($nic.Type -eq "Vmxnet3") {
Write-Host "Setting $settingKey to $linkSpeed for VM $vmName (Adapter type: vmxnet3)"
New-AdvancedSetting -Entity $vm -Name $settingKey -Value $linkSpeed -Force -Confirm:$false
Write-Host "Successfully set $settingKey to $linkSpeed for VM $vmName"
} else {
Write-Host "Skipping $settingKey (Adapter type: $($nic.Type) is not vmxnet3)"
}
}
Write-Host "Checking what is set for each vNIC:"
# Check what is set for each vNIC
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $nics.Count; $i++) {
$settingKey = "ethernet$($i).linkspeed"
$currentSetting = Get-AdvancedSetting -Entity $vm -Name $settingKey -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($currentSetting) {
Write-Host "$settingKey : $($currentSetting.Value)"
} else {
Write-Host "$settingKey : Not set"
}
}
# Final confirmation message
Write-Host "`nAll vNIC link speeds have been set to $linkSpeed."
Write-Host "`nAdvanced settings updated for all NICs.`n"
Additional Resources
For more detailed information on managing vNIC link speeds and advanced settings, refer to this VMware knowledge base article: KB 368812
On an inspiring day at Greenpoint Prague, we gathered for the VMware User Group (VMUG) Czech Republic event, which I had the pleasure of organizing alongside Josef Zach. The venue buzzed with energy as we eagerly anticipated a day filled with insightful sessions and vibrant networking.
The day started strong with Karel Novak‘s compelling session, “VCF Multi-Location Networking.” Karel captivated us all by diving deep into the complexities of VMware Cloud Foundation, especially advanced networking across multiple locations, providing valuable insights to manage complex infrastructures effectively.
Next up, Katarina Brookfield delivered an excellent presentation, “vSphere Supervisor – Unlocking Cloud Experience with Kubernetes.” She skillfully showed how vSphere bridges the gap between traditional IT and modern cloud-native applications, leaving us with plenty to think about in terms of operational agility and Kubernetes integration.
Boris Mittelmann then brought cybersecurity front and center with his essential session, “Veeam on MITRE ATT&CK v17 – Cyber Security and Recovery for ESXi.” Boris offered actionable tips and real-world insights on securing virtual environments, highlighting the importance of cyber resilience and preparedness.
In the afternoon, Karel Rudišar provided valuable perspectives in his talk, “Traditional and DevOps Approach and Automation in VCF.” He effectively illustrated the advantages of combining traditional IT practices with DevOps methodologies to streamline automation within VMware Cloud Foundation.
The critical topic of ransomware was expertly covered by František Ferenčík and Marek Ištok, whose session, “Ransomware Recovery for VCF,” offered practical strategies to mitigate ransomware threats and ensure robust recovery methods, essential for maintaining a secure VMware Cloud Foundation environment.
Petr Rada contributed further with insights into VMware Cloud Foundation, helping to deepen our collective understanding of key operational practices.
We wrapped up the informative sessions with an engaging roundtable discussion featuring VMUG Leaders and all session speakers. This interactive segment allowed us to share experiences and exchange valuable ideas.
Adding excitement to the event was our raffle, where lucky attendees won two exclusive VMUGCZ t-shirts, five handy multi-use tags, a Bluetooth speaker, a LiveFire water bottle, and a special 50% discount voucher for VMware training.
The day concluded on a high note with a fantastic grill featuring delicious meats, vegetables, sausages, complemented by refreshing beer and great company during our social networking session. It was the perfect end to a rewarding day of learning and community building.
A heartfelt thanks to our sponsors VEEAM, TD SYNNEX , Broadcom and all speakers, attendees, and my co-organizer Josef Zach for making the VMUG Czech Republic event such a memorable success. I’m already looking forward to our next meetup!
Configuring syslog on your ESXi host is essential for centralized logging and efficient monitoring. Having your logs centrally managed simplifies troubleshooting and helps with compliance and security audits. Below you’ll find an easy-to-follow guide for setting up syslog both via the WebUI and CLI. Don’t forget to verify connectivity and regularly check your centralized logs for effective monitoring.
Configure Syslog Service (vmsyslogd) on ESXi for Remote Logging
1. Configure Syslog Using the vSphere Client
Log in to the vSphere Client and select your ESXi host.
Navigate to the Configure tab.
Under System, click on Advanced System Settings.
Click Edit to modify settings.
Filter for Syslog.global.logHost.
Enter your syslog server details in the format tcp://hostname:514 or udp://hostname:514 in my case udp://10.20.55.44:514 or with DNS name udp://syslog:514
Click OK to apply the changes.
2. Open Firewall Ports for Syslog Traffic
Enable Syslog in Firewall Rules:
Still under the Configure tab, go to Networking > Firewall > Ougoing connections.
Click EDIT….
Filter for syslog
Click on Checkboxand Click OK.
Now you should see “syslog” in outgoing firewall rules.
3. Verify Connectivity to the Syslog Server
Test Network Connection:
Access the ESXi Shell or use SSH to connect to your ESXi host.
In VMware ESXi, managing physical network interfaces (vmnics) is essential for troubleshooting, maintenance, or reconfiguration. There are times when you need to disable or re-enable a network interface without relying on the network team to shut down a switch port or physically unplugging the cable in the server room. Fortunately, this can be done quickly using the esxcli command-line tool.
Checking Available Network Interfaces
First login via SSH or directly on server console.
Before shutting down a vmnic, it’s good practice to list all available interfaces and check their status:
esxcli network nic list
This command will display a list of vmnics along with their link state, driver, and speed.
Shutting Down a vmnic Interface
To disable a specific vmnic, use the following command:
esxcli network nic down -n vmnicX
Replace vmnicX with the actual interface name (e.g., vmnic5).
Bringing a vmnic Interface Back Up
If you need to enable the interface again, run:
esxcli network nic up -n vmnicX
This will bring the network interface back online.
Use Cases
Test network failover scenarios.
Identify and isolate network issues by disabling a suspected faulty NIC.
Temporarily disable a NIC to measure the impact on network performance and verify load balancing efficiency.
Test how virtual machines respond when a specific network path goes down.
Shut down a vmnic that is connected to an untrusted VLAN or an incorrectly configured network.
Test different network configurations without permanently altering physical connections.
By using esxcli, you can manage network interfaces efficiently.
Renaming or reordering vmnics on an ESXi host can be useful in various scenarios, such as standardizing network configurations or aligning network interface names across multiple hosts. This guide will show you how to achieve this using the ESXi command line.
Listing Current vmnic Aliases
Before making changes, it is essential to check the current vmnic assignments. You can do this with the following command:
localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int/ deviceInternal alias list
This command will return a list of all existing vmnic aliases and their corresponding bus addresses.
Bus type Bus address Alias
-------- ------------------- -----
pci m01000300 vmhba0
pci m01000b00 vmnic0
pci p0000:00:07.1 vmhba1
pci m02001300 vmnic1
logical pci#m01000300#0 vmhba0
logical pci#p0000:00:07.1#0 vmhba1
logical pci#p0000:00:07.1#1 vmhba64
logical pci#m02001300#0 vmnic1
logical pci#m01000b00#0 vmnic0
When a nic is controlled by a native driver, then there are actually two aliases associated with the device: a pci alias for the pci device and a logical alias for the uplink logical device.
[root@fs-vsan-05:~] localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int deviceInternal alias list | grep vmnic1
When the logical alias is present, then both the pci alias and logical alias need to be renamed !
Changing a vmnic Name
Make sure you have console access before starting the upcoming steps.
To change the name of a specific vmnic, use the following commands. Replace vmnic5 with the desired new alias and update the bus-address accordingly.
localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int deviceInternal alias store --bus-type pci --alias vmnic5 --bus-address m02001300
localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int deviceInternal alias store --bus-type logical --alias vmnic5 --bus-address pci#m02001300#0
Once the commands have been executed, you need to reboot the ESXi host for the changes to take effect.
reboot
Having Some Fun with vmnic Naming
If you want to experiment and see how ESXi handles long vmnic names, you can try something fun like this:
localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int deviceInternal alias store --bus-type pci --alias vmnic1234567890 --bus-address m02001300
localcli --plugin-dir /usr/lib/vmware/esxcli/int deviceInternal alias store --bus-type logical --alias vmnic1234567890 --bus-address pci#m02001300#0
reboot
While ESXi generally follows a strict naming convention, pushing its limits can be an interesting experiment!
Conclusion
Renaming vmnics in ESXi via the command line is a straightforward process that requires just a few commands and a reboot. Whether you’re restructuring network configurations or just having a bit of fun, these steps will help you modify your ESXi network interfaces with ease.
Ever wanted to spruce up that default login screen on your ESXi host or have some fun with your DCUI? Then you’re in the right place! In this post, I’ll walk through using the Annotations.WelcomeMessage advanced setting to display a custom welcome message on your ESXi host. Best of all, I’ll share a neat PowerShell function to make it easy.
Why Customize the Welcome Message?
Personalization: Display a personal greeting, instructions, or a quick reminder for anyone logging into the ESXi console.
Useful Info: Share contact details or support info in case someone needs to know who to call if something breaks.
Fun Factor: It’s always nice to see something other than “Welcome to VMware ESXi” from time to time at least in homelab.
Security: Display security/legal warning.
The Advanced Setting: Annotations.WelcomeMessage
Annotations.WelcomeMessage is an advanced ESXi host parameter. It’s where you store the text you want displayed in DCUI on the default console screen (replacing some default text, similar to screenshot below).
(virtual ESXi)
PowerShell Script: Set-WelcomeMessage Function
Here is the star of the show—my simple PowerShell function that taps into VMware’s PowerCLI to set Annotations.WelcomeMessage on your ESXi host. It even shows you the old message before setting the new one.
Function Set-WelcomeMessage {
<#
.SYNOPSIS
This function retrieves the vCenter version and build number.
Based on https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/315410/
.NOTES
File Name : set_welcome_message.ps1
Author : Stanislav Musil
Prerequisite : PowerShell
Website : https://vpxd.dc5.cz/index.php/category/blog/
X (Twitter) : https://www.x.com/stmusil
.DESCRIPTION
The script is a function that takes a single parameter, the vCenter server name. Retrieves the version and build number.
To use the function, you can dot-source the script and then call the function.
Windows: . .\set_welcome_message.ps1
Mac/Linux: . ./set_welcome_message.ps1
.EXAMPLE
Set-WelcomeMessage -Hostname "ESXi.example.com" -WelcomeMessage "Welcome to {{hostname}"
#>
param (
[string]$HostName,
[string]$WelcomeMessage
)
# Ensure PowerCLI module is imported
if (-not (Get-Module -Name VMware.VimAutomation.Core -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
Import-Module VMware.VimAutomation.Core
}`
# Define the target host and the parameter values
$ESXihost = Get-VMHost -Name $HostName
$paramName = "Annotations.WelcomeMessage"
$current = Get-AdvancedSetting -Entity $ESXihost -Name $paramName
Write-Host "Current Weclome message:" $current.Value
# Set the advanced parameter
Get-AdvancedSetting -Entity $ESXihost -Name $paramName | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value $WelcomeMessage -Confirm:$false
# Verify the change
$updatedSetting = Get-AdvancedSetting -Entity $ESXihost -Name $paramName
Write-Output "New $paramName value on $ESXihost : $($updatedSetting.Value)"
}
How to Run It
1. Dot-source the script (so the function is recognized):
On Windows:
. .\set_welcome_message.ps1
On Mac/Linux:
. ./set_welcome_message.ps1
2. Execute the function:
Set-WelcomeMessage -Hostname "ESXi.example.com" -WelcomeMessage "Welcome to my ESXi host!"
3. That’s it! Now when you check the DCUI over iDRAC/IPMI/iLO etc.. or on directly on console screen, you’ll see your brand-new custom text.
Customizing your ESXi’s welcome message is quick, easy, and surprisingly fun. Whether you’re adding a helpful notice or just a silly greeting, a personal touch goes a long way. Give it a try, and see if your team notices!
If you are working with VMware environments, particularly with vCenter Server, it’s important to keep track of the version and build number of your vCenter instances. This script/function, Get-vCenterVersion, is designed to help you retrieve these details effortlessly. Here, we’ll break down my script, explaining each section, and provide examples of how to use it.
Overview of the Script
The Get-vCenterVersion function is a PowerShell script that retrieves the version and build number of a specified vCenter Server. It compares the build number against a predefined mapping to provide detailed information about the vCenter version, release date, and other associated details. This can be extremely useful for maintaining and upgrading your VMware infrastructure.
You can find the full script linked at the end of this article. 🙂
Sections of the Script
Script Header and Metadata
<#
.SYNOPSIS
This function retrieves the vCenter version and build number.
Based on https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?legacyId=2143838
.NOTES
File Name : get-vcenter-version.ps1
Author : Stanislav Musil
Prerequisite : PowerShell
Website : https://vpxd.dc5.cz/index.php/category/blog/
X (Twitter) : https://www.x.com/stmusil
.DESCRIPTION
The script is a function that takes a single parameter, the vCenter server name. Retrieves the version and build number.
To use the function, you can dot-source the script and then call the function.
Windows: . .\get-vcenter-version.ps1
Mac/Linux: . ./get-vcenter-version.ps1
.EXAMPLE
Get-vCenterVersion -vCenterServer "vCenter.DC5.cz"
or
Get-vCenterVersion
#>
This section provides a summary of what the script does, including the author’s information, and usage instructions. It also includes an example of how to invoke the function. This is a standard way to document PowerShell scripts and makes it easier for others to understand and use your script.
Here, the script defines a parameter $vCenterServer, which is not mandatory. If the user does not provide a value, the script will use the default vCenter Server from the global environment variable $global:DefaultVIServer.
vCenter Version Mappings
$vCenterVersionMappings = @{
"24026615"="vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3r","17.06.2024","7.0.3.02000","24026615","24026615"
"23788036"="vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3q","21.05.2024","7.0.3.01900","23788036","23788036"
...
}
This dictionary (hashtable) contains a mapping of vCenter Server build numbers to their corresponding versions, release dates, and other details. This is the core of the script, enabling it to look up detailed information based on the build number.
The script retrieves the version and build number from the provided or default vCenter Server. If the build number exists in the predefined mappings, the script retrieves the corresponding details.
The script constructs a custom PowerShell object to output the details in a structured format. This makes it easy to further process or display the information.
Upgrade Check
if ($vCenterServerBuild -lt $greatestKey) {
Write-Host "vCenter upgrade possible. `n" -ForegroundColor Red
} elseif ($vCenterServerBuild -eq $greatestKey) {
Write-Host "Latest version/ up to date. `n" -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
Write-Host "Update this script, looks like it's outdated. `n" -ForegroundColor Magenta
}
Finally, the script compares the retrieved build number with the highest build number in the mapping to determine if an upgrade is available, if the system is up to date, or if the script itself needs updating.
Example Usage
Example 1: Retrieve vCenter Version with Default Server
If you are already connected to a vCenter Server and set it as the default ($global:DefaultVIServer), you can simply run:
Get-vCenterVersion
Example 2: Specify a vCenter Server
To retrieve the version for a specific vCenter Server, provide the server’s name:
This will output detailed information about the vCenter Server, including its version, build number, and release date. If the vCenter Server is not on the latest version, the script will suggest that an upgrade is possible.
My homelab:
Conclusion
The Get-vCenterVersion script is a powercli function for anyone managing VMware vCenter Servers. By automating the retrieval and checking of vCenter versions, it helps ensure that your infrastructure is always up to date and secure. Whether you’re managing a single vCenter Server or multiple instances, this script can save you time and reduce the risk of version mismatches.
Feel free to customize the script to fit your environment, and remember to keep the version mapping updated as new vCenter Server versions are released!
