Permanently enable SSH on a VMWare ESXi host

Here is a technique to permanently enable SSH access on ESXi hosts. VMWare warns against leaving SSH access enabled on production servers due to security concerns. However, in my homelab this is an acceptable risk. 

Method

Using the VMWare Web Interface, do Host > Services > Enable Secure Shell (SSH). 

Login to your ESXi server via the SSH interface you've just enabled. 

Using a text edit of your choice (Vi, Nano, or perhaps via WinSCP), edit:

/etc/rc.local.d/local.sh

and append:

vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh

Save and exit. Your host will now have SSH enabled following each reboot.

Explanation

File /etc/rc.local.d/local.sh runs each time your host starts. 

Command vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh enables the SSH service, making SSH access possible.