pyats-linux-vmware

Automate ESXi VM inventory, snapshot retrieval, and hypervisor inspection via pyATS.

Updated Feb 28, 2026

Search Tags:#automation #inventory #snapshots #vmware #pyats #esxi

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/dgethings/netclaw --skill pyats-linux-vmware-dgethings

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: pyats-linux-vmware
Source: https://github.com/dgethings/netclaw/tree/main/workspace/skills/pyats-linux-vmware
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dgethings/netclaw --skill pyats-linux-vmware-dgethings

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

VMware ESXi environments often suffer from asset drift and undocumented snapshot chains. This Skill automates visibility and integrity checks by listing VMs, auditing snapshots, and inspecting hypervisor health across multiple ESXi hosts.

Core Features & Use Cases

VM Inventory: Retrieve and verify the full list of VMs on ESXi hosts to ensure asset accuracy.
Snapshot Health: Read snapshot trees and flag stale or deep chains that may impact performance.
Hypervisor Inspection: Collect host-level information to verify readiness for maintenance windows or changes.

Quick Start

Inventory ESXi VMs and verify existing snapshots across the testbed by running the skill against your ESXi lab environment with appropriate SSH access.

Frequently Asked Questions about pyats-linux-vmware

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I automate ESXi VM inventory and snapshot retrieval across multiple hosts?▼

You can automate ESXi VM inventory and snapshot retrieval across multiple hosts by running a pyATS script that connects via SSH to your ESXi testbed, executing commands on each host to list VMs and audit snapshot trees.

What is the best way to check for stale or deep snapshot chains in a VMware ESXi environment?▼

The best way to check for stale or deep snapshot chains in a VMware ESXi environment is to use a pyATS automation script that retrieves snapshot trees across your testbed and flags snapshots that may impact performance.

Do I need SSH access to run pyATS hypervisor inspection commands on ESXi hosts?▼

Yes, you need SSH access to the ESXi shells. The pyATS script executes hypervisor inspection commands remotely, requiring a defined testbed with device entries and appropriate SSH credentials to collect host-level information.

Can I verify ESXi host readiness for a maintenance window using pyATS?▼

Yes, you can verify ESXi host readiness for a maintenance window using pyATS by collecting hypervisor health information and inspecting host-level data to ensure the environment is prepared for changes.

What limitations exist when using pyATS for fleet-wide VM discovery on ESXi?▼

A key limitation is that fleet-wide VM discovery using pyATS requires a properly defined testbed with device entries for each ESXi host, and depends on consistent SSH access to all targeted ESXi shells to execute commands and report results.