I'm looking to move from VMWare Server 1.* to ESXi for running a bunch of build and test VM's. I need to be able to start, stop and configure memory size from perl scripts running on another host. From looking at various forums about the place I get the impression the management/scripting api on the free ESXi server is read only. Is this the case. If so, what the least expensive option to get an ESX/ESXi server with full r/w capability.

Thanks Rod

You would need to license the host at the Foundation or higher level (or get the essentials bundle) to be able to read/ write via the API. Without it, Powershell / vCLI (RCLI) will be read only.

What are the scripts using and have you considered running the scripts right on the host with SSH?

Dave

Firstly thanks for your reply. Using SSH in certainly an an option. I am currently using the legacy VMware::VmPerl modules to manage VM's on some VMWare Server hosts. I am not yet familiar with the what commands are available to users logged in via ssh to start/stop and configure VM's on ESXi. As such, any pointers to info and docs would be gratefully accepted. Some experimentation on my part indicates I can remotely start and stop VM's on the free ESXi, that only leaves VM configuration. Although I might use SSH for everything as the perl interface the ESXi seems very sluggish compared to VMWare Server. Once again thanks for your reply.

Rod

Sorry for the tardy reply, but I've been away on vacation. With ESXi free, the VMware VI API is locked down, but anything using VMware VIX should still function without restrictions.

For console scripting you can look at vsish and vim-cmd. For vsish there's some reference material here - http://www.vi-toolkit.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page.