VMware vSphere Client 5.5 on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

VMware vSphere Client 5.5 on Mac can be a bit tricky to set up, but with the right steps, you can successfully connect and manage your ESXi host from your macOS machine. In this article, we will guide you through the process of enabling SSH on the host, copying the 'esxi' folder to the datastore, and connecting directly to your ESXi host using a native Mac client.

Enabling SSH on the Host

To enable SSH on your ESXi host, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client using your credentials.

2. Navigate to Configuration > Software > Security Profile > Services > Properties > SSH > Options > Start > OK.

Copying the 'esxi' Folder to the Datastore

Once SSH is enabled, you can copy the 'esxi' folder to the datastore by following these steps:

1. Select the 'Upload Folder' option and note the warning about replacing any existing folders with the same name.

2. Right-click on a datastore in Configuration > Hardware > Storage and select 'Browse Datastore.'

Connecting to vSphere using a Native Mac Client

A native Mac client is available for connecting to vSphere, which can be downloaded from 'hxxp://vclient'(http://vclient). Instead of connecting through the web client or vCenter Server Appliance, you can connect directly to your ESXi host.

Hardware Requirements

To run VMware vSphere Client 5.5 on Mac, you will need:

* Two 64-bit CPUs

* Hardware requirements: Two 64-bit bit CPUs

Compatibility Issues

Note that the native Mac client may lag or be slightly unresponsive due to compatibility issues with macOS Sierra 10.12 and later versions. However, using the Windows vSphere client instead of the web client can resolve these issues.

Disclaimer

Please note that running VMware vSphere Client 5.5 on Mac potentially violates Apple's End User License Agreement for macOS. Additionally, a patch has been created to install macOS on ESXi (5.5 only) but also supports Workstation (8, 9, 10), Player (4, 5, 6) and Fusion (4, 5, 6).

In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide for setting up VMware vSphere Client 5.5 on Mac. By following these steps, you can successfully connect to your ESXi host using a native Mac client. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the process, please leave a comment below.

References

* 'hxxp://vclient'(http://vclient) - Native Mac client for vSphere

* InsanelyMac - A patch has been created to install macOS on ESXi (5.5 only)

Vmware vsphere client 5.5 mac