VMware Secret Template for RPC

Overview

This document briefly discusses using Secret Server Remote Password Changing (RPC) for the VMware ESX/ESXi (API) accounts. With Remote Password Changing (RPC), secrets can automatically change remote account passwords when a secret expires, either immediately or on a defined schedule. In addition, the new passwords’ strengths and other qualities are completely configurable. See the Password Changer List for a complete list of available password changers.

During configuration, Secret Server is given a list of IP addresses or computer names that correspond to ESX or ESXi servers. Secret Server then connects to each server using the provided credentials to query for a list of user accounts on the target system. For details, see VMware ESX/ESXi Account Discovery.

Assigning a Password Changer to a Secret Template

After completing the RPC setup, you can manage the built-in secret templates. Each secret template is specific application and is preconfigured with the password changer best suited to that. For the VMware ESX/ESXi (API), we want the VMware ESX/ESXi (API) template.

You can view and modify secret templates in the Secret Server administration panel. See Creating or Editing Secret Templates for more on the available options. Ensure that the secret template is in active status. See Activating and Deactivating Templates for details.

To navigate to a VMware ESX/ESXi (API) secret template:

  1. Go to Administration > Secret Secret Server. The Secrets Administration page is displayed.

  2. In the Core Actions section, click Secret Templates. The list of available templates is displayed.

  3. Select a VMware ESX/ESXi secret template and then click the Mapping tab.

You can check what secret template conforms to the selected RPC. The screenshot below shows that a VMware ESX/ESXi (API) RPC refers to the ESX/ESXi secret template. It is possible to assign several password changers to one secret template. For more information, see Assigning a Password Changer to a Secret Template.

Secret templates determine the fields, launchers, and the remote password changer for secrets. To use the VMware ESX/ESXi template on a secret, see Managing Secrets.