The UserDirectory managed object allows a client application to obtain information about users and groups on a VMware vSphere server. Properties and results vary, depending on whether the server is a vCenter Server or an ESXi system.

  • vCenter Server system. Domain controller, Active Directory, or local Windows account repository.
  • ESXi host. Linux password file in /etc/passwd on the host.

For example, vCenter Server user accounts can be managed in a Windows Active Directory server or domain controller from which the domainList property of UserDirectory is derived. For ESXi systems, the domainList property is empty.

Figure 1. UserDirectory Managed Object
Shows UserDirectory managed object, particularly folders inside Datacenter.