Install VMware PowerCLI: If you haven’t installed PowerCLI already, you can download and install it from the PowerShell Gallery. Open a PowerShell session with Administrator privileges and run the following command:

Install-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI

Connect to vCenter: Connect to your vCenter server using PowerCLI. Replace “vcenter_server” with the IP or FQDN of your vCenter server and enter your vCenter credentials when prompted:

Connect-VIServer -Server vcenter_server

Get a List of ESXi Hosts: Run the following command to retrieve a list of all ESXi hosts managed by the vCenter server:

$esxiHosts = Get-VMHost

Install VAAI Plugin on Each ESXi Host: Loop through each ESXi host and install the VAAI plugin using the “esxcli” command. Replace “esxi_username” and “esxi_password” with the ESXi host’s root credentials:

foreach ($esxiHost in $esxiHosts) {
    $esxiConnection = Connect-VIServer -Server $esxiHost -User esxi_username -Password esxi_password
    if ($esxiConnection) {
        $esxiHostName = $esxiHost.Name
        Write-Host "Installing VAAI plugin on $esxiHostName..."
        $installScript = "esxcli software vib install -v /path/to/vaaipackage.vib --no-sig-check"
        Invoke-SSHCommand -SSHHost $esxiHostName -SSHUser esxi_username -SSHPassword esxi_password -SSHCommand $installScript
    }
}

Make sure to replace “/path/to/vaaipackage.vib” with the actual path to the VAAI plugin file (e.g., “esxcli software vib install -v /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/vaaipackage.vib –no-sig-check”).

  1. Disconnect from vCenter: Finally, disconnect from the vCenter server when the installation process is complete:
Disconnect-VIServer -Server $esxiHosts.Server -Force -Confirm:$false

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The Podcast

Join Naomi Ellis as she dives into the extraordinary lives that shaped history. Her warmth and insight turn complex biographies into relatable stories that inspire and educate.

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