Overview

This PowerShell script automates the process of connecting to a VMware vCenter server, retrieving a list of ESXi hosts in a specified cluster (or a single host), and running a series of commands on each host to create application accounts using HPE iLO credentials. It is designed for use in HPE/VMware environments where automated account setup and configuration is required.

Features

• Prompts for vCenter, ESXi, and iLO credentials interactively.
• Connects to vCenter using VMware PowerCLI.
• Retrieves all ESXi hosts in a specified cluster or operates on a single ESXi host by IP.
• Automatic Server Generation Detection: Detects whether the server is Gen12 with iLO7 or Gen10/Gen11.
• Uses SSH (via Posh-SSH module) to run commands on each ESXi host based on server generation:

Gen12 Servers (iLO7)

• Creates SUT application account on iLO 7
• Sets iSUT mode to AutoDeploy
• Checks if AMS application account exists before creating
• Starts AMS service using amsdv

Gen10/Gen11 Servers (iLO5/iLO6)

• Sets iSUT mode to AutoDeploy

• Starts AMS service

• Outputs a summary table of results for each command on each host (including server generation).

• Disconnects from vCenter at the end of execution.

Prerequisites

• PowerShell: Run the script in Windows PowerShell with administrative privileges.
• VMware PowerCLI: Must be installed and imported. Download PowerCLI
• Posh-SSH Module: PowerShell SSH module for secure connections to ESXi hosts.
• ESXi/iLO Credentials: You will need valid credentials for vCenter, ESXi root, and iLO.

Installing Posh-SSH Module

Run the following command in PowerShell to install the Posh-SSH module:

Install-Module -Name Posh-SSH -Force -Scope CurrentUser

Usage

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. If the script is blocked after downloading, unblock it first:

   Unblock-File -Path .\precheck-script\precheck.ps1

3. Ensure Posh-SSH module is installed:

   Get-Module -ListAvailable Posh-SSH

   If not installed, run:

   Install-Module -Name Posh-SSH -Force -Scope CurrentUser

4. Run the script:

   .\precheck-script\precheck.ps1

5. Enter the required credentials and target cluster/host when prompted.

Example Workflow

• The script will prompt for:

  • vCenter hostname or IP
  • vCenter username and password
  • ESXi root password
  • iLO username and password
  • Cluster name or ESXi host IP

• It will then:

  • Connect to vCenter
  • Retrieve the list of ESXi hosts
  • Detect server generation for each host using esxcli hardware platform get (Product Name)
  • Run generation-specific commands on each host via SSH:

  For Gen12 (iLO7):

  • sut appaccount create -u <iLO user> -p <iLO pass>
  • sut -set mode=AutoDeploy
  • /opt/amsdv/bin/amsdCli appaccount check (if account found, skip create)
  • /opt/amsdv/bin/amsdCli appaccount create -u <iLO user> -p <iLO pass> (only if not found)
  • /etc/init.d/amsdv start

  For Gen10/Gen11 (iLO5/iLO6):

  • sut -set mode=AutoDeploy

  • /etc/init.d/amsd start

  • Output a summary table of results with Host, Generation, Command, and Result columns

  • Disconnect from vCenter

Output Example

Host            Gen      Cmd              Result
----            ---      ---              ------
192.168.x.x     Gen10/11 SUT Set Mode     Mode already set to AutoDeploy
192.168.x.x     Gen10/11 AMS Start        (service started)
192.168.x.y     Gen10/11 SUT Set Mode     Mode already set to AutoDeploy
192.168.x.y     Gen10/11 AMS Start        (service started)

Notes

• Security Warning: The script converts secure strings to plain text for SSH command execution. Do not use in production without securing credential handling.
• Host Key Handling: The Posh-SSH module automatically accepts host keys with the -AcceptKey -Force options.
• Troubleshooting:
  • Ensure PowerCLI and Posh-SSH modules are installed
  • Run Get-Module -ListAvailable Posh-SSH to verify Posh-SSH is installed
  • Check permissions and network connectivity to vCenter and ESXi hosts
  • If SSH connection fails, verify ESXi SSH service is enabled

References

• Blog
• VMware PowerCLI Installation Guide
• Posh-SSH Module on PowerShell Gallery

Copyright

© Copyright 2026 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP