RVTools Automation: Your Shortcut to VMware Control

Imagine you’re an IT administrator managing 50+ VMware vCenter Server servers, each running hundreds of virtual machines. Sounds stressful already, right?

Now let me ask you something:

• Do you know how many VMs are running in every vCenter right now?
• Can you instantly check CPU, memory, storage, and network details for each VM?
• Have you ever prepared an audit report using multiple Excel sheets and manual exports?

If yes… welcome to the real-world struggle of IT operations.

Managing large VMware environments isn’t easy. IT teams must constantly track VM inventory, configurations, compliance data, and infrastructure health.

When the environment grows, chaos grows with it.

One missed detail—wrong CPU allocation, missing network mapping, outdated snapshot, unused disk, or incorrect storage policy—can create audit issues, delays, and unnecessary stress.

And when data lives across dozens of vCenters?

And one question: Did I miss something?

This is the daily challenge many IT teams face while auditing VMware environments.

RVTools: Your VMware Spyglass

Managing multiple VMware environments can be challenging. Imagine logging into 10, 20, or even 50+ VMware vCenter Server servers one by one, checking virtual machines, storage, networks, snapshots, and configurations—then manually documenting everything in spreadsheets.

Sounds exhausting, right?

It’s repetitive, time-consuming, and one small mistake can create major reporting headaches.

This is where RVTools comes in.

Think of RVTools as a spyglass for your VMware world. Instead of jumping between multiple vCenters, it gathers critical information from across your environment and presents it in one place.

What is RVTools?

RVTools is a free Windows-based utility designed for VMware environments. It connects to VMware vCenter Server and ESXi hosts to collect detailed information about virtual machines, hosts, datastores, networks, snapshots, and configurations—all in one place.

Instead of checking each item manually, RVTools organizes the data into easy-to-read tabs and can export everything into Excel reports for auditing, troubleshooting, and documentation.

What Makes RVTools Powerful?

With just a few clicks, RVTools can generate Excel reports containing:

• Virtual machines and their configurations
• CPU, memory, and storage usage
• Snapshots and their sizes
• Network adapters and connections
• Datastore details
• Host and cluster information
• VMware Tools status

The Real Benefit

Instead of logging into multiple vCenters and collecting data manually, you get a complete view of your environment in minutes.

No more scattered spreadsheets.
No more repeated manual checks.
No more last-minute audit stress.

Just one report. One place. Clear visibility.

👉 In Simple Words: If VMware vCenter Server is the control room, RVTools is the spyglass that helps you see everything clearly.

Installing and Using RVTools

Ever wished you could see all your VMware environments at once? RVTools is your magic lens.

Download RVTools and install it on your Windows machine. The setup is quick, simple, and straightforward.

Important: Make sure the Windows machine where RVTools is installed has network access to all your VMware vCenter Server servers.

Once installed, open RVTools and enter your vCenter server name, username, and password.

Within moments, RVTools connects and displays valuable information such as:

• Virtual machine configurations
• Snapshots
• Storage details
• Network information
• Hosts and clusters
• VMware Tools status

No more jumping between multiple vCenters.
No more manual note-taking.
No more hunting for missing details.

Need a Report?

With just one click, RVTools can export the collected data to Excel.

Clean. Organized. Shareable. Ready for audits, reviews, and daily operations.

RVTools: Things to Keep in Mind

RVTools is a useful tool, but like any tool, it has limitations—especially in large environments.

Supercharging RVTools with Automation

RVTools gives you a clear view of your VMware environment—but exporting reports manually for 10+ VMware vCenter Server servers can quickly become exhausting.

That’s where automation changes everything.

Instead of repeating the same tasks every day, the process can run automatically in the background while you focus on more important work.

What the Automation Can Do

• Daily Scheduled Runs – Automatically runs every day on your Windows VM without manual intervention.
• Centralized Storage – Saves reports in organized timestamped folders for easy access.
• Automatic Cleanup – Removes old reports based on your retention policy.
• Compression & Space Management – Compresses large Excel files into ZIP format to save storage space.
• Secure SFTP Uploads – Uploads reports to your SFTP server for team access.
• Email Notifications – Sends the latest reports directly to stakeholders automatically.
• Dashboard Access – Lets users browse folders, select vCenters, and view reports in a web browser.

The Real Advantage

You still keep the power of RVTools—but remove the repetitive work.

No daily report exports.
No manual emailing.
No file juggling.
No forgotten tasks.

Instead of managing the reporting process, you can focus on analyzing the data and improving the environment.

Behind the Scenes

How the Automation is Structured

To make all this magic happen, we organized the automation scripts into a clean and logical structure. Here’s a quick look:

rv-tools-automation-scripts/
├── private/                 # Private functions used internally
├── public/                  # Public functions you can call directly
├── logs/                    # Daily logs of script execution
├── reports/                 # Generated Excel and ZIP reports
├── RVToolsConfig.ini        # Configuration file for your environment
├── inputs.csv               # vCenter server credentials
├── Convert-ToEncoded.ps1    # Convert passwords to encoded format for security
├── RVToolsAutomation.ps1    # Main script that runs the whole process
└── index.html               # Dashboard to view your reports in a browser

Your vCenter List: inputs.csv

Before the automation can start gathering data, it needs to know which vCenters to talk to. That’s where your inputs.csv file comes in. Think of it as the map for your VMware environment.

The CSV file is simple, clean, and easy to update. It tells the script:

• Which vCenter server to connect to
• Which user account to use
• The encrypted password

Here’s what it looks like:

vcenter_fqdn,username,rvtool_encrypted_password
vc1.domain.local,admin,_RVToolsEncryptedPasswordHere
vc2.domain.local,admin,_RVToolsEncryptedPasswordHere

Columns explained:

1. vcenter_fqdn – The fully qualified domain name of the vCenter server. Example: vc1.domain.local
2. username – The account the automation will use to connect to the vCenter.
3. rvtool_encrypted_password – The encrypted password for the user.

How to Generate the Encrypted Password

RVTools includes a handy script to encrypt vCenter passwords so you don’t have to store them in plain text:

1. Navigate to your RVTools installation folder, usually: C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\RVTools
2. Open RVToolsPasswordEncryption.ps1 in PowerShell ISE (Run as Administrator).
3. Enter the vCenter password when prompted.
4. Copy the output (it begins with _RVTools) and paste it into the rvtool_encrypted_password column in your CSV.

⚡ Pro Tip: Each line represents a vCenter. Add as many as you manage. The automation will process them one by one, generating a consolidated report for all of them.

With this CSV ready, the script knows exactly where to go, who to log in as, and what credentials to use—without any manual typing or repeated logins.

Configuration

Edit the RVToolsConfig.ini file to set your environment-specific values:

[default]
local_compression = true                  ; Enable local ZIP of all exports
export_retention_local = 1                ; Retain local reports for X days
logfolder = logs                           ; Folder to store daily log files
logfile_size_mb = 5                        ; Max log file size before truncation (current day only)
logfile_retention = 7                      ; Retain log files for X days
rvtools_directory = C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\RVTools       ; Path to RVTools executable
vcenter_list_input_file_name = vcenterinputs.csv   ; Name of the CSV file containing vCenter info. User can choose any name, but must update it here.
[sftp]
enabled = false                            ; Enable SFTP upload
compression = true                          ; If true, upload ZIP; if false, upload individual files
sftp_server = sftp.domain.com              ; SFTP server
sftp_port = 22                             ; SFTP port (default 22)
sftp_user = sftpuser                        ; SFTP username
sftp_encoded_password = "c2Z0cHBhc3N3b3Jk"     ; SFTP password in encoded format
remote_path = uploads                      ; Remote folder on SFTP, Make sure it already exists in the SFTP
export_retention_sftp = 7                   ; Retain files on SFTP for X days
[email]
enabled = true                              ; Enable email
smtp_server = smtp.domain.com         ; SMTP server
smtp_port = 25                               ; SMTP port
sender_email = rvtools@test.com             ; From address
recipient_email_list = user@domain.com,vj@domain.com ; Comma-separated recipient list
subject_suffix = RV Tools Auditing Mail Report  ; Email subject prefix/suffix

Note: The script will read vCenter information from whichever file name is set in vcenter_list_input_file_name. It does not matter if you call it input.csv, vcenterinputs.csv, or another name; just make sure the .ini reflects your choice.

Automation Features: What Makes It Tick

Once your .ini file is configured and your CSV is ready, the automation comes alive. It handles report generation, cleanup, storage, uploads, and notifications with minimal manual effort.

1. Log File Retention

Every execution creates a daily log file inside the logs/ folder.

• Logs older than the configured retention period (for example, 7 days) are deleted automatically.
• Keeps the log directory clean and manageable.
• Useful for troubleshooting, audits, and execution history.

2. Local Report Retention

Reports are stored in timestamped folders such as:

reports/YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS

• Older reports are removed automatically based on export_retention_local.
• The current execution’s reports are never deleted.
• Keeps storage clean while preserving recent outputs.

3. SFTP Retention

If SFTP uploads are enabled:

• Files older than the configured export_retention_sftp days are deleted automatically.
• Prevents buildup of outdated files on the remote server.
• Keeps shared storage clean and organized.

4. Local Compression

Large Excel exports can consume disk space quickly.

When local_compression = true:

• All generated reports are compressed into a ZIP file.
• The original timestamped folder is removed after compression.
• Saves storage space and simplifies file sharing.

5. SFTP Upload

Need centralized access for your team?

The automation can upload reports securely to an SFTP server.

• Upload ZIP files or individual folders
• Controlled through the .ini configuration
• Provides a secure central location for reports

6. SFTP Password

To generate the Base64-encoded SFTP password:

• Open the Convert-ToEncoded.ps1 script in PowerShell ISE (run as Administrator).
• Execute the script, provide the plain text password, copy the output, and paste it into the .ini file under SFTP -> sftp_encoded_password (enclosed in double quotes “”)

7. Email Notifications

The automation can automatically send the latest reports through email.

• Includes execution summary (success, errors, warnings)
• Sends reports directly to stakeholders
• Configurable SMTP server, sender, recipients, and subject line

No manual sending required.

8. Dashboard Access

Want to browse reports without opening multiple Excel files?

Use a lightweight local web server.

Navigate to the reports/ folder and run:

python -m http.server 8000

Then open your browser and go to:

http://localhost:8000

You can then:

• Browse timestamped report folders
• Open available files
• Check the latest audits quickly
• Access reports from one central view

No complex setup. No additional software. Just a simple built-in solution for quick report access.

Prerequisites

Before running the RVTools automation, ensure the following are fully in place:

1. Windows System
   • PowerShell 5.1 or later is required to run all automation scripts.
2. RVTools Installed
   • RVTools must be installed on the system.
   • The machine must have network access to all VMware vCenter Server instances to be audited.
3. Network Access to vCenters
   • The system must be able to connect to all target VMware vCenter Servers.
4. PowerShell Modules
   • Install the Posh-SSH module for SFTP functionality:

Install-Module -Name Posh-SSH -Force

5. SMTP Server Access
   • Required for sending automated email notifications with report attachments.
6. SFTP Server Access
   • Credentials must be configured in the .ini file.
   • The remote folder must already exist.
7. Python 3.x
   • Required to serve reports through the dashboard.
   • To start the dashboard, navigate to the reports/ folder and run:

python -m http.server 8000

• The dashboard is accessible at: https://localhost:8000

8. vCenter Credentials CSV File
   • Must contain all vCenter FQDNs, usernames, and RVTools-encrypted passwords:

vcenter_fqdn,username,rvtool_encrypted_password
vc1.domain.local,admin,<encrypted_password>
vc2.domain.local,admin,<encrypted_password>

• Encrypted passwords must be generated using RVToolsPasswordEncryption.ps1.

9. RVToolsConfig.ini File
   • Must be configured with all settings including local compression, retention policies, SFTP, email, and dashboard details.
   • Ensure the CSV filename matches the .ini configuration (vcenter_list_input_file_name).

Execution Flow: How the Automation Works

Here’s what happens when you run RVToolsAutomation.ps1:

• Setup & Logging
  • Reads your RVToolsConfig.ini for environment-specific settings
  • Creates a daily log file in the logs/ folder
  • Prepares a timestamped export folder under reports/
• Module Check
  • Ensures the required PowerShell module Posh-SSH is installed
• Import vCenters List
  • Reads vCenter details from inputs.csv
  • Counts the number of VMware vCenter Server servers to process
• Retention Cleanup (Local & SFTP)
  • Deletes old reports locally based on your export_retention_local settings
  • Removes old files from SFTP if enabled and retention is configured
  • Current run is never deleted
• RVTools Export
  • Loops through each vCenter in inputs.csv
  • Runs RVTools CLI for each vCenter
  • Exports VM, host, datastore, network, and snapshot details into Excel files in the timestamped folder
  • Records any execution issues for reporting
• Generate JSON Index
  • Creates reports_index.json in the timestamped folder listing all exported files
• Local Compression
  • If enabled, compresses the timestamped folder into a single ZIP file
  • Deletes the original folder to save space
• Email Notification
  • If all exports succeeded, sends a summary email with the ZIP file attached
  • Includes execution summary highlighting any issues
  • If a temporary ZIP was created for email, it is deleted afterward
• Dashboard JSON
  • Updates folders.json to provide a list of available report folders for the dashboard
• End of Execution
  • Logs the completion of the run

Accessing Reports via Dashboard

• Run a simple Python HTTP server to browse the reports in a web browser:

python -m http.server 8000

• Open your browser and go to:

https://localhost:8000

• You can now navigate the reports/ folder, view individual Excel reports, or explore JSON indexes for easy access.

Scheduling the Automation: Set It and Forget It

Running the RVTools automation manually every day? That’s no fun. Luckily, Windows Task Scheduler lets you automate it completely—so your reports are generated while you sip your morning coffee. ☕

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler

• Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and hit Enter.
• Task Scheduler opens.

Step 2: Create a New Task

• Click Action → Create Task…
• Give it a name: RVTools Automation
• Optional: Add a description, e.g., “Daily vCenter export using RVTools automation scripts.”

Step 3: Set the Trigger

• Go to the Triggers tab → New…
• Choose Daily
• Set the start time (e.g., 2:00 AM)
• Click OK

Step 4: Set the Action

• Go to the Actions tab → New…
• Action: Start a program
• Program/script: powershell.exe
• Add arguments (replace path as needed):

-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\path\to\RVToolsAutomation.ps1"

Step 5: Configure Settings

• Go to the Settings tab:
  • Allow task to run on demand
  • Run task as soon as possible after a missed start
  • Stop task if it runs longer than… (optional)

Step 6: Security

• On the General tab, choose Run whether user is logged on or not
• Check Run with highest privileges

Step 7: Save and Test

• Click OK and enter your Windows credentials if prompted.
• Right-click the task → Run to test.
• Check logs/ folder for the daily log file to confirm the run.

Ready, Set, Automate!

Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Cool story, but where’s the code?!” 😅

Relax, we didn’t leave you hanging. The full RVTools Automation package is ready to rock—scripts, config templates, sample inputs, and even a mini dashboard. Just plug it in, tweak for your environment, and watch your VMware reports practically write themselves.

Curious? Sneak a peek here: RVTools Automation Repository

Say goodbye to Excel chaos, endless clicks, and “oops, did I miss something?” moments. With this toolkit, you’re not just auditing—you’re auditing like a VMware wizard. ⚡

If you have any questions, thoughts, or just want to geek out over VMware, feel free to ping me on LinkedIn or drop me an email at jagadeeshvuppala1996@gmail.com. I’m always happy to help!