When I was trying to copy the files using winscp or SCP from the other linux system to the vCSA , ended up with the below error.

Unknown command : ‘scp’

This is because we need to change the shell to bash which can be done using the command chsh ( Pls refer the KB below ) or we can use usermod -s /bin/bash root and also we can do it manually by editing the /etc/passwd.

CHSH Method.

1. Initiate an SSH connection to the vCenter Server Appliance.
2. Provide the root user user name and password when prompted.
3. Run the following command to enable the Bash shell:
   shell.set --enable True
4. Run the following command to access the Bash shell:
   shell
5. In the Bash shell, run the following command to change the default shell to Bash:
   chsh -s "/bin/bash" root
6. Use WinSCP to upload the certificate files to the vCenter Server Appliance.
7. Return to the Appliance Shell by running the following command:
   chsh -s /bin/appliancesh root

Manual Method .

Login in to the console and press F1 – Login in to the shell using the command “shell.set –enable True”

Go to the/etc/passwd.

 Point to the user root and delete the appliancesh and change it to /root:/bin/bash and then copy the data to the appliance.

Once the transfer is done then change it back to the original /root:/bin/appliancesh.

Reference:

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2107727