The vSphere SDK for Perl credential store library can be used to automate the logon process for non-interactive client applications by storing the password in a secured local credential cache that the application can access at runtime. You can manage the vSphere credential store using the credential store library included in the vSphere SDK for Perl and discussed in this appendix.
If an application authenticates itself to a vCenter Server system, it requires no additional authentication to access any of the ESX/ESXi systems managed by that vCenter Server system.
Authentication can occur as follows.
- Specifying the authentication information explicitly using one of the command-line parameters (user name and password, url, and so on) or configuration file parameters. See vSphere SDK for Perl Common Options.
- Using a session file. See Use a Session File.
- Using Microsoft SSPI, discussed in Using Microsoft Windows Security Support Provider Interface (SSPI).
- Using the credential store Perl Library, which is included in the vSphere SDK for Perl and discussed in this appendix.
See vSphere SDK for Perl Common Options for a discussion of the order of precedence.
This appendix explains how to set up and use the credential store and includes a reference to credential store subroutines.
