Hi,
ESXi 4.1. I see conflicting options with accessing a host which had normal lockdown mode enabled via a vCenter server VM on a host in the cluster. The vCenter server which is on one of the lockeddown hosts in the cluster then became unavailable or unresponsive connectivity wise. So no connectivity to vCenter VM nor between vCenter VM and the hosts. Can someone confirm if you can connect to this lockedown host via DCUI with root and disable the lockdown configuration to allow the vSphere client to then connect to the host with root and troubleshoot the vCenter server VM?
I have read in some posts this is only possible if the vCenter VM is up and has communication to the hosts. I have also read that it's possible regardless of vCenter server status once Total lockdown (disabling DCUI) is not enabled.
I reference this from the blog "The New Lockdown Mode in ESXi 4.1" http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2010/09/the-new-lockdown-mode-in-esxi-41.html
"With Lockdown Mode enabled, the only direct access to the host that remains open is through the DCUI. This provides a way to perform limited administrative tasks outside of vCenter Server, such as restarting management agents and viewing log files. In addition, you can also turn off Lockdown Mode from within the DCUI. This might be useful if vCenter Server is down or otherwise unavailable, and you wish to revert to direct management of the host. Normally, without Lockdown Mode, any user with the Administrator Role can log into the DCUI. However, in Lockdown Mode, the root password is required; no other user can log in."
Can anyone confirm access, as pretty soon I will be looking for best options to try access and trouble shoot the vCenter server VM. Thanks in advance.