PowerShell PowerCLI is a powerful command-line tool for managing and automating VMware vSphere environments. Whether you’re a seasoned VMware administrator or a beginner looking to streamline your workflows, PowerCLI offers a robust set of commands to make your tasks easier. Here are the top 10 PowerCLI commands every VMware vSphere administrator should know.
Connect-VIServer
The Connect-VIServer cmdlet establishes a connection to a vCenter Server or an ESXi host.
Connect-VIServer -Server "vcenter_server_name" -User "username" -Password "password"
Get-VM
The Get-VM cmdlet retrieves information about virtual machines (VMs) in the connected vCenter Server or ESXi host.
Get-VM -Name "VMName"
New-VM
The New-VM cmdlet creates a new virtual machine.
New-VM -Name "VMName" -ResourcePool "ResourcePoolName" -Datastore "DatastoreName" -Template "TemplateName"
This command creates a new VM named VMName using the specified resource pool, datastore, and template.
Set-VM
The Set-VM cmdlet modifies the configuration of a virtual machine.
Set-VM -VM "VMName" -MemoryGB 16 -NumCpu 8
This command configures the VM VMName to have 16 GB of memory and 8 CPUs.
Start-VM
The Start-VM cmdlet powers on a virtual machine.
Start-VM -VM "VMName"
Stop-VM
The Stop-VM cmdlet powers off a virtual machine.
Stop-VM -VM "VMName" -Confirm:$false
This command powers off the VM named VMname without prompting for confirmation.
Remove-VM
The Remove-VM cmdlet deletes a virtual machine.
Remove-VM -VM "VMName" -DeletePermanently -Confirm:$false
This command permanently deletes the VM named VMName without prompting for confirmation.
Get-VMHost
The Get-VMHost cmdlet retrieves information about ESXi hosts.
Get-VMHost -Name "ESXiHostName"
This command retrieves information about the ESXi host named ESXiHostName.
Set-VMHost
The Set-VMHost cmdlet configures settings on an ESXi host.
Set-VMHost -VMHost ESXi01 -State Maintenance
This command puts the ESXi host ESXi01 into maintenance mode.
Get-Datastore
The Get-Datastore cmdlet retrieves information about datastores.
Get-Datastore -Name "DatastoreName"
Conclusion
These top 10 PowerShell PowerCLI commands provide a solid foundation for managing VMware vSphere environments. From connecting to vCenter Servers to creating and configuring VMs, these commands help streamline administrative tasks and automate routine operations. By mastering these commands, VMware administrators can enhance their productivity and ensure efficient management of their virtual infrastructure.