Exporting info from vmhosts 1

[ctrlgrid]

Need to do reporting on vm's. Is there a way to dump/export a list of vm's in the hosts? If possible, other parameters for each vm's.

Thanks

 

[eritguy]

Using Putty, try running the following command at the bash prompt: vmware-cmd -l
This will list something like this:
************
/vmfs/volumes/########-########-####-############/MyVM1/MyVM1.vmx
/vmfs/volumes/########-########-####-############/MyVM2/MyVM2.vmx
...and so on
************
If you want to print it to a text file, just type: vmware-cmd -l > /my/desired/path/Host1VMs.txt
Then use something like WinSCP to grab the text file.

If you're looking at information about the host itself, datastores, etc, try running the command: esxcfg-info -h to get a list of switches, then run those into a text file.

There are many other esxcfg-?????? commands you can run, just Google it up.

I've never bothered printing out lists of VM's (I'm running about 30 VM's per host and have 4 hosts), because with HA/DRS enabled on agressive, the machines don't stick around too long to make it worth while. But, maybe you have a better reason.

Hope this is kind of what you're looking for.

 

[unclerico]

a nice little free utility out there is called RVTools. it will report on essentially every piece of your VMware infrastructure

I hate all Uppercase... I don't want my groups to seem angry at me all the time! =)
- ColdFlame (vbscript forum)

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Using Putty, try running the following command at the bash prompt

That assumes the user isn't on ESXi. Just gotta mention, I've heard rumors from a reliable source that version 5 (due out in about a year) will remove the console all together. No SSH option at all.

If you're looking for some software VKernel has some inventory software that is fairly inexpensive and gives some really nice detail of your VM's including hardware. Pretty much everything you'll need. If you're looking for just a one time thing, download the trial and get your info.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[djr111]

There is going to be an ability to ssh to ESXi hosts.

Interview at vmworld that is going on right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tktk6iIjmI

 

[Arisap]

While you can SSH to an ESXi host, the commands are limited. The use of tools will now be the main way to communicate with the hypervisor. RVTools is certainly a great tool. There are also a plethora of powershell scripts on the net to accomplish all sorts of tasks. Also look for PowerGUI and VESI. And VMware offers the vMA appliance that has the RemoteCLI and Perl SDK all set up. Unless things have gone really south for a host, there should be no reason to SSH to it.