You can use the vSphere Client or the vSphere Web Client to enable local and remote (SSH) access to the ESXi Shell and to set the idle timeout and availability timeout.

Note: Access the host by using the vSphere Web Client, remote command-line tools (vCLI and PowerCLI), and published APIs. Do not enable remote access to the host using SSH unless special circumstances require that you enable SSH access.

Prerequisites

If you want to use an authorized SSH key, you can upload it. See ESXi SSH Keys.

Procedure

  1. Browse to the host in the inventory.
  2. Navigate to the Services panel.
    Option Description
    vSphere Client
    1. Click Configure.
    2. Under System, click Services.
    vSphere Web Client
    1. Click Configure.
    2. Under System, click Security Profile.
  3. Manage ESXi, SSH, or Direct Console UI services.
    Option Description
    vSphere Client
    1. In the Services pane, select the service.
    2. Click Edit Startup Policy and select the startup policy Start and stop manually.
    3. To enable the service, click Start.
    vSphere Web Client
    1. In the Services pane, click Edit.
    2. Click Service Details and select the startup policy Start and stop manually
    3. To enable the service, click Start.
    4. Click OK.
    When you select Start and stop manually, the service does not start when you reboot the host. If you want the service to start when you reboot the host, select Start and stop with host.

What to do next

Set the availability and idle timeouts for the ESXi Shell. See Create a Timeout for ESXi Shell Availability and Create a Timeout for Idle ESXi Shell Sessions