Rebooting an ESX Server host

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

For troubleshooting or maintenance purposes it may be necessary to restart (reboot) an ESX Server host. This article provides you the steps to restart of your ESX host.

Environment

VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware ESX Server 2.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware ESX Server 2.5.x
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
VMware ESX Server 3.0.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESX Server 2.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0

Resolution

Restarting ESX Server 2.x from the MUI

To restart ESX Server 2.x from the MUI:

1. Ensure all virtual machines are powered off or vMotioned to another host.
2. Log in as root to the MUI of your ESX Server host.
3. Click the Options tab.
4. Click Restart.
5. Enter the reason for restarting the system.
6. Click OK.
   
   Note: The ESX Server host goes into a Not Responding state if you are using VMware VirtualCenter until it has completely rebooted and its agents have started. This is expected behavior.
   
   

Restarting ESX 2.x or ESX/ESXi Server 3.x and later from the Virtual Infrastructure or vSphere Client (Recommended)

To restart ESX Server 2.x or ESX/ESXi 3.x and later via the VirtualCenter or vSphere client:

1. Ensure all virtual machines are powered off or migrated to another host.
2. Right-click on the ESX Server host from the Inventory and click Enter Maintenance Mode.
3. When complete, right-click on the ESX Server host in the Inventory and select Reboot.
4. Enter a reason in the reboot server window.
5. Click OK.
6. Wait for the ESX Server host to restart.
   
   Note: The Virtual Infrastructure or vSphere Client disconnects from the ESX Server host if it is directly-connected. The server will enter a Not Responding state in VirtualCenter or vCenter until it has completely rebooted and its agents have started. This is expected behavior.
   
   
7. Right-click on the ESX Server host from the Inventory and click Exit Maintenance Mode.
   
   

Restarting ESX 2.x and later hosts from the Service Console

To restart ESX 2.x or later hosts from the service console:

1. Ensure that all virtual machines are powered off or migrated to another host.
2. Log in to the ESX host's terminal via SSH, System Management Interface, or directly at its console.
   
3. Type reboot.
   
4. Press Enter.
   
   

Restarting ESXi 3.5 and later hosts from the DCUI

To restart ESXi 3.5 or later hosts from the terminal of the server:

1. Ensure that all virtual machines are powered off or migrated to another host.
2. Access the host console directly, or connect via your System Management Interface.
   
3. Press F12.
4. Enter the root user name and password when prompted.
5. Press F11 to restart the system.

You may also restart an ESXi 3.5 or later from a SSH session to the host by typing the command reboot from the command line.

Additional Information

Reiniciar un host ESX Server
重新引导 ESX Server 主机
ESX Server ホストを再起動する