Csdrhrt

I downloaded the PowerCLI from VMware's website.

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=PCLI650R1&productId=614

Once downloaded their is an executable PowerCLI.exe. If I run this executable I get a terminal (that is not cmd/powershell) that pops up with all the PowerCLI commands available.

The problem is when I open a real PowerShell terminal, these commands disappear and are unavailable.

While looking at the folder I downloaded from VMware's website I noticed a script called "initizilize_environment.ps1", after I run this script (its about 5-10 mins)I get access to the PowerCLI commands again. The problem is I loose access to these commands once the PowerShell terminal is closed. This is a big problem as I'm trying to automate the virtual environment and having to wait 5-10 minutes defeats the point.

I would install the PowerCLI via the following, but due to security restrictions the machine cannot have access to the internet.
Save-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI -Path <path>

Any help is much appreciated.

Save it via an internet connected device.

Then copy it from that systems module folder...

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2013/05/18/powertip-find-the-path-to-a-powershell-module

Then copy the module folder to the non-connected host manually, via USB/CD/DVD, whatever you are allowed to use.

• Raymond follow up -
  Consolidating my follow-up comments.

The link as I said was only a pointer to look for the module location.

As for the down vote on this, no I don't underestimate, as I've done this as well as other 3rdP modules. Even if you used the VMware docs on the topic, you'd want to use the link, because of all the manual install / find / copy and paste steps they give you, the would be an unecessary operation to this Q&A.

As it talks to removing old versions, and other steps.

Yet, ultimately, it's still a install on a connected system and copy paste, and a few other manual steps on the disconnected system.

But since you don't think it's improper and that links will go away, Then OK:

Accessing the PowerCLI Modules

https://blogs.vmware.com/PowerCLI/2018/01/powercli-offline-installation-walkthrough.html

Online System with PowerShell 5.x:

•Open PowerShell

•Use the
‘Save-Module’ cmdlet to download the PowerCLI modules locally.

Example:

Save-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI -Path C:PathToDestinationFolder

•If requested, update the NuGet provider

•If requested, trust the

‘Untrusted repository’ that is named PSGallery Note: This is a local
system trust, not something that has something to do with an SSL
certificate

•Copy those downloaded module folders to a location that can be made
accessible to the offline system.

Example: USB Flash Drive, Internal
File Share, etc.

Adding PowerCLI to the Offline System

It’s now time to put the PowerCLI modules on to the offline system. To
take advantage of the magic that is module auto-loading, we’ll want to
copy and paste those downloaded folders in one of the locations listed
in the PSModulePath variable.

By default, the PSModulePath variable contains the following
directories:
•$homeDocumentsWindowsPowerShellModules

•$pshomeModules

That’s it! Open a PowerShell session and start using your PowerCLI
commands as you did before!