Logging In to the Controller CLI

The Command Line Interface (CLI) allows you to manage and configure the controller using text-based commands. It provides access to configuration options and troubleshooting actions that may not be available through the web GUI. The CLI is also useful when the GUI is inaccessible, such as during system recovery.

You can access the CLI through the console port on physical appliances, or through the hypervisor console on virtual appliances, such as those running on VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM. You can also connect remotely using an SSH session over the network.

    Note:
  • The default credentials for SmartZone controllers are admin for both the username and password. The enable password is also admin. After you complete the initial setup process, you will be prompted to change these credentials.
  • The username to access the CLI is always admin and it cannot be changed. Additional administrator accounts created in the web GUI cannot be used to log in to the controller CLI.
  • For physical appliances: You can connect to the CLI of a physical controller (SZ144) by using the RS-232 serial console cable included with the appliance.
    1. Connect this cable from your administrative workstation to the console port in the controller.
    2. Launch a terminal emulator (such as PuTTY or Tera Term) and configure it with the following settings:
      • 115200 baud rate
      • 8 data bits
      • 1 stop bit
      • No parity
      • No flow control
    3. Once the session starts, you are prompted to log in—either with the default credentials during initial setup or with the updated credentials if the initial setup has already been completed.
  • For virtual appliances: In virtualized environments, console access is provided through the hypervisor. For example, if the controller is deployed on VMware ESXi, you can open the VM console directly from the vSphere interface. This gives you CLI access without needing a physical cable. The login process and terminal behavior are the same as with physical appliances, but the connection is made through the hypervisor management console. Refer to the documentation specific to your hypervisor for more instructions to open the management console.

    Launching the Management Console in ESXi

Using PuTTY To Access the CLI via SSH

Parent topic: Troubleshooting Issues with the Controller