1. Go to the ESXi console and press

    ALT+F1

  2. Type:

    unsupported

  3. Enter the root password (typing will be blind)
  4. Once logged in type

    vi /etc/inetd.conf

  5. Look for the line that starts with #ssh and remove the # so it starts with ssh (press “x” if the cursor is on the character)
  6. Save by typing

    :wq!

  7. Restart the ESXi server & test connecting via ssh.

NOTE: You can also enable telnet access by removing the # infront of the telnet line and I haven’t tested this, as I use secure management networks, however if you follow my post “How to Secure SSH on CPanel and restrict to specific hosts” you can probably use the step 2 bit to change the listening port if you really wanted to :)

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