Disabling VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler for a Cluster

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to disable the VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) feature.

Note: You have to disable the VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) feature when downgrading a license. DRS might not be supported by the downgraded license. In this case, you must first disable DRS. Also, If you were using an evaluation license, consult Unable to Assign a License to ESXI Host

Environment

VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.5.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware vCenter Server 6.x
VMware ESXi 6.x
VMware vCenter Server 7.x
VMware ESXi 7.x
VMware vCenter Server 8.x
VMware ESXi 8.x

Resolution

When DRS is disabled, the cluster’s resource pool hierarchy and affinity rules are not reestablished when DRS is turned back on. If you disable DRS, the resource pools are removed from the cluster. To avoid losing the resource pools, save a snapshot of the resource pool tree on your local machine. You can use the snapshot to restore the resource pool when you enable DRS.
 

1. Browse to the cluster in the vSphere Client.
2. Click the Configure tab and click Services.
3. Under vSphere DRS, click Edit.
4. Deselect the Turn On vSphere DRS check box.
5. Click OK to turn off DRS.
6. (Optional) Choose an option to save the resource pool.

   • Click Yes to save a resource pool tree snapshot on a local machine.

   • Click No to turn off DRS without saving a resource pool tree snapshot.

Note: vSphere includes an option for retaining Resource Pools when disabling DRS. For more information, see Retaining resource pools when disabling VMware DRS clusters (310185).