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Also, if it helps, we do have admin access to the server, so maybe somehow a VtoV migration to an external storage, then reinstall ESXi, then migrate the VM back, if possible?
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Also, if it helps, we do have admin access to the server, so maybe somehow a VtoV migration to an external storage, then reinstall ESXi, then migrate the VM back, if possible?

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Andrew if I do a reinstall and preserve vmfs will the networking config remain intact for the local vswitch1?
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Andrew if I do a reinstall and preserve vmfs will the networking config remain intact for the local vswitch1?

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Hello experts,<br />
<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We aquired a new client some time ago, and they already had in place an ESXi 5.1 host running only one virtual server 2008 R2 VM. The problem is, we do not have the root password to access the host. We have no way of managing this host or VM since we can not log in to it via console or vsphere client. The company also does not have the password and has no way of retrieving it. <br />
<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp; How can we go about gaining access to this host? I know there is no way to simply reset the root password, but I'm trying to figure out our options. I was wondering if we upgraded from 5.1 to 5.5 if we would be given the option to change the root password, but I'm not sure if this is even possible without being able to log in to the host first. I have Google'd around and not found a solution so I'm hoping someone here may have an idea? Thanks in advance.
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Hello experts,

     We aquired a new client some time ago, and they already had in place an ESXi 5.1 host running only one virtual server 2008 R2 VM. The problem is, we do not have the root password to access the host. We have no way of managing this host or VM since we can not log in to it via console or vsphere client. The company also does not have the password and has no way of retrieving it. 

    How can we go about gaining access to this host? I know there is no way to simply reset the root password, but I'm trying to figure out our options. I was wondering if we upgraded from 5.1 to 5.5 if we would be given the option to change the root password, but I'm not sure if this is even possible without being able to log in to the host first. I have Google'd around and not found a solution so I'm hoping someone here may have an idea? Thanks in advance.

ESXi 5.1 root password reset

Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. For large systems, the operating system makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system. Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs, called application programs, can run.

Operating Systems

Servers are computing devices that are similar to desktop computers in that they have the same basic components, but are significantly different in size, configuration and purpose. Servers are usually accessed over a network, and many run unattended, without a computer monitor, input device, audio hardware or USB interfaces. Many servers do not have a graphical user interface (GUI), and are configured and managed remotely. Servers typically include hardware redundancy such as dual power supplies, RAID disk systems, and ECC memory, along with extensive pre-boot memory testing and verification. Critical components might be hot swappable, and to guard against overheating, servers might have more powerful fans or use water cooling.

Server Hardware

Virtualization is the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including (but not limited to) a virtual computer hardware platform, operating system (OS), storage device, or computer network resources. Virtualization is usually the creation of a system that executes separate from the underlying hardware resources, or the creation of an entire desktop for systems located elsewhere, similar to thin clients.