What is PowerCLI

PowerCLI is a powerful command-line tool developed by VMware that extends the capabilities of PowerShell to manage and automate VMware environments. It provides a comprehensive set of cmdlets (commands) specifically designed for interacting with various VMware products, such as vSphere, vSAN, NSX-T, Horizon, and more. PowerCLI enables administrators and IT professionals to perform a wide range of tasks efficiently, from routine maintenance to complex configurations and deployments.

How to install VMware PowerCLI via Powershell

1. Open PowerShell with Administrative Privileges

Ensure that PowerShell is running as an administrator to have sufficient privileges for installation.

To install VMware PowerCLI via PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell with Administrative Privileges

Ensure that PowerShell is running as an administrator to have sufficient privileges for installation.

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2. Install PowerCLI from the PowerShell Gallery

Run the following command to install PowerCLI version 11 for all users:

Install-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI -RequiredVersion 11.1.0.11289667 -Scope AllUsers

• If you want to install it for the current user only, change -Scope AllUsers to -Scope CurrentUser.
• During the installation, you may be prompted to trust modules from the PowerShell Gallery. Type Y to confirm.

3. Configure PowerCLI for Self-Signed Certificates (Optional)

If your vCenter Server uses a self-signed certificate, run this command to bypass certificate warnings:

Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore

4. Connect to VMware vCenter or ESXi Host

To connect to a VMware vCenter or ESXi host, use one of the following methods:

• Direct Connection with Credentials:

Connect-VIServer vcsa.vmware.local -User administrator@vsphere.local -Password VMware123

• Prompt for Credentials:

Connect-VIServer vcsa.vmware.local

This will open a pop-up window where you can enter your username and password.

5. Verify Connection

Once connected, you can use PowerCLI commands to manage your VMware infrastructure. For example:

Get-VM

This command lists all virtual machines in the connected environment.