When you target a host that is managed by a vCenter Server system, you can run commands in different ways.

  • Specify the vCenter Single Sign-On service with the --psc option and, if multiple vCenter Server systems are associated with the vCenter Single Sign-On service, the vCenter Server system with the --server option. Specify also the host with the --vihost option.
  • Specify the vCenter Server system with the --server option and the ESXi host with the --vihost option.
  • Specify only the ESXi host with the --vihost option.

When you can authenticate to a vCenter Single Sign-On service or to a vCenter Server system, you can target all ESXi hosts that vCenter Server manages without additional authentication. See Authenticating Through vCenter Server and vCenter Single Sign-On.