Configure ESXi to allow SSH connections

Let's say you want to upgrade your ESXi Hypervisor from version 6.5 to 6.7. The first step is to configure ESXi to allow SSH connections.

Place ESXi into Maintenance Mode

The first step is to place your ESXi Hypervisor into Maintenance Mode. Before entering maintenance mode, the virtual machines in the hypervisor will need to be powered off. Once the virtual machines are powered off, in the ESXi GUI, right click on Host and select Enter Maintence Mode. When prompted, select Yes to put the hypervisor into maintenance mode.

Upgrade ESXi

Allow HTTP connections in the firewall.

esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e true -r httpClient

Upgrade ESXi, replacing "2020011002" with the build you want to update to.

esxcli software profile update -d https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml -p ESXi-6.7.0-2020011002-standard

Refuse HTTP connections in the firewall.

esxcli network firewall ruleset set -e true -r httpClient

Reboot your ESXi Hypervisor.

reboot