I have a VMWare ESXi 5.0 host server that I am monitoring with PRTG. I would like to monitor the disk storage status of the server, however when I try to add the SSH VMWare ESX(i) Disk Sensor I receive the following error:

Socket error on connecting. WSAGetLastError return 10060($274C).

I am currently monitoring the same server successfully with a VMware Host Server (SOAP) sensor without any issues. Is there a setting that I need to configure on the host, or in the PRTG software to enable this to connect successfully?

Article Comments

Enable SSH

Can you access your Server with any other ssh-client?

On ESXi servers SSH is not activated by default. If you haven't activated SSH yet, take a look at e.g. http://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2011/08/enable-ssh-on-esxi-5-via-vsphere-client/

Handle SSH Warnings

Note: The inconvenience you are faced with since ESXi version 5.x is that you will be reminded by your vSphereClient in the Host-Summary-page, section 'Confirmation Issue', that 'SSH for the host has been enabled'. And there will be a warning sign at the host-icon.

HowTo Disable These Warnings

  1. Select the ESXi host from the Inventory.
  2. Select Advanced Settings from the Software menu.
  3. Navigate to UserVars > UserVars.SuppressShellWarning.
  4. Set the value from 0 to 1.
  5. Click OK.

HowTo Disable These Warnings Using Esxcli

  1. Connect to the ESXi host through SSH using root credentials.
  2. Run the following command: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /UserVars/SuppressShellWarning -i 1

HowTo Re-Enable These Warnings Using Esxcli

  1. Connect to the ESXi host through SSH using root credentials.
  2. Run the following command: esxcli system settings advanced set -o /UserVars/SuppressShellWarning -i 0


Thanks, Paul, for sending in these tips!


Feb, 2012 - Permalink