pyVmomi is a Python SDK for the VMware vSphere API that allows you to manipulate ESX, ESXi, and vCenter using scripts.
To get started, check out the samples project at http://vmware.github.io/pyvmomi-community-samples/
You can install this as a package. Just run python setup.py bdist_egg
and then use pip or easy_install to deploy it on your system.
There are other bindings of this API in other languages. See:
- vijava (Java): http://vijava.sourceforge.net/
- rbvmomi (Ruby): https://github.com/vmware/rbvmomi
- vSphere SDK for Perl (non-free): https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=VSP510-SDKPERL-510&productId=285
For general language neutral documentation of vSphere Management API see: http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-55/index.jsp#com.vmware.wssdk.apiref.doc/right-pane.html
Have fun!