If a host cannot be managed via vCenter or from vSphere client, you can still use the CLI (on the host itself or via network using SSH or vSphere CLI/RCLI) to partially manage the VMs on the host.
For this to work you must have already enabled the local console, Tech Support Mode and/or SSH access:
Once logged in, you can use these commands to control the VMs. Note that there are differences between ESX and ESXi.
| Command | ESXi | ESX |
|---|---|---|
| List the registered VMs | vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms | vmware-cmd -l |
| Get power state of VM | vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/power.getstate vmid | vmware-cmd path-to-VMX-file getstate |
| Power on a VM | vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on vmid | vmware-cmd path-to-VMX-file start |
