PowerCLI ConceptsPowerCLI cmdlets are created to automate VMware environments administration and to introduce some specific features in addition to the PowerShell concepts.
PowerCLI Modules VMware PowerCLI 12.1.0 consists of multiple modules that you can install and use according to your needs and environments. Interoperability Between the PowerCLI and VMware Cloud Director PowerCLI Modules RelatedObject parameter of PowerCLI cmdlets, you can retrieve vSphere inventory objects from cloud resources. This interoperability between the PowerCLI and VMware Cloud Director PowerCLI modules expands cloud administration, automation, reporting, and troubleshooting options for provider administrators. Selecting Objects in PowerCLI PowerCLI , you can pass strings and wildcards to all parameters that take inventory objects, datastores, OSCustomizationSpec objects, and VIServer objects as arguments. This PowerCLI approach is named Object-by-Name (OBN) selection. Providing Login Credentials PowerCLI from processing non-alphanumeric characters correctly. To prevent login problems, escape the non-alphanumeric characters in your credentials.Running PowerCLI Cmdlets Asynchronously PowerCLI cmdlets return an output only after completion of the requested tasks. If you want a cmdlet to return to the command line immediately, without waiting for the tasks to complete, you can use the RunAsync parameter.Managing Default Server Connections PowerCLI and PowerCLI cmdlets run on the vCenter Server systems or VMware Cloud Director servers you are connected to, if no target servers can be determined from the provided parameters. Customization Specification Objects in PowerCLI PowerCLI provides two types of objects for customization specification: persistent and nonpersistent.Using ESXCLI with PowerCLI PowerCLI provides you the capability to use ESXCLI through its console.PowerCLI Inventory Provider PowerCLI Datastore Provider PowerCLI About Articles PowerCLI concepts and features from the built-in help articles named about articles. You can access them through a running PowerCLI process.