Purpose
This article provides steps to power on virtual machines from the command line (either through the ESX host console or through the RCLI/vSphere CLI) if the host cannot be managed from vCenter Server or from vSphere Client.
Resolution
Note: The steps in this article require root access to the host, either at the physical console or using SSH. For more information on enabling root access, see:
- Enabling root SSH login on an ESX host (8375637)
- Tech Support Mode for Emergency Support (1003677) (for ESXi 3.5 and 4.0)
- Using Tech Support Mode in ESXi 4.1 and ESXi 5.0 (1017910)
ESXi 5.0
To power on a virtual machine from the command line:
- List the inventory ID of the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms |grep - Check the power state of the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/power.getstate - Power-on the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on
ESXi 4.1
To power on a virtual machine from the command line:
- List the inventory ID of the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms |grep
Note: The first column of the output shows the vmid. - Check the power state of the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/power.getstate - Power-on the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on
ESXi 4.0
To power on a virtual machine from the command line:
- List the inventory ID of the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms |grep - Check the power state of the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/power.getstate - Power on the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on
ESX 4.0 and ESX 4.1
To power on a virtual machine from the command line:
- To list the path of all the virtual machines on the host:
vmware-cmd -l - Get the state of the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-cmdgetstate - Power on the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-cmdstart
ESXi 3.5
To power on a virtual machine from the command line:
- List the inventory ID of the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms |grep - Check the power state of the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/power.getstate - Power on the virtual machine with the command:
vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on
ESX 3.5
To power on a virtual machine from the command line:
- To list the path of all the virtual machines on the host:
vmware-cmd -l - Get the state of the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-cmdgetstate - Power on the virtual machine with the command:
vmware-cmdstart
Based on VMware KB 1038043
