Shutdown Procedure for vSAN Cluster (vCenter VM on vSAN) using the Cluster Shutdown Wizard

Products

• VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

 

• This article details the specific procedure for a graceful shutdown of vSAN cluster.

• The procedure is required when the vCenter Server Virtual Machine (VM) is hosted directly on the vSAN datastore. 

• The recommended and safest method is to use the Shutdown Cluster Wizard .

• This wizard automatically sequences the process, safely handling dependencies and minimizing risk upon system power-down and subsequent startup.

 

Environment

VSAN 8.0 and later

Resolution

Procedure for vSAN Cluster Shutdown

Step 1: Initiate the Shutdown Wizard

1. In the vSphere Client Navigator pane, right-click on the vSAN Cluster object. 

2. Navigate to the vSAN sub-menu.

3. Click Shutdown cluster. This launches the Shutdown cluster wizard.
   
   

Step 2: Review Shutdown Pre-check

 

1. The wizard opens to the  Shutdown pre-check step.

2. Review the information, which should include a warning that the VMware vCenter appliance is deployed on this vSAN cluster.

   • The screenshot confirms that the VCSA is running on one of the hosts in the cluster 
     

 

Step 3: Note the vCenter Server Notice

1. This step provides a crucial notice about the effects of the shutdown:

   • All vCenter services will be unavailable.

   • The vSphere Client will be not available (you will see a "This site can't be reached" error).

2. Crucial Note: Take note of the orchestration host address . This is the ESXi host that will manage the shutdown/startup process and is required to monitor the process while the vCenter Server is unavailable.
   
   
   

 

Step 4: Confirm Shutdown will prompt you of the following:

1. Review the list of operations that the wizard will perform when you shut down the vSAN cluster:

   • Power off all system VMs in the cluster (excluding the vCenter VM initially).

   • Turn off HA (High Availability) on the cluster.

   • Disable cluster member updates from vCenter Server.

   • Pause state changes of vSAN objects.

   • Power off the vCenter Server VM (VCSA).

   • Place each cluster host into maintenance mode with No data migration.

   • Power off each host.
     
      Warning: Be aware of the warning: Powering off management or appliance VMs can interrupt services that are external to this cluster.
     
     In the Shutdown reason field, select or type a reason for the shutdown.
     
     
     

   • After entering the required Shutdown Reason in the designated field.

   • Review the final summary screen to confirm all components are listed correctly.

   • Press the Shutdown button to initiate the graceful power-down sequence orchestrated by the Shutdown Cluster Wizard.

Additional Information

For reference:  Shut Down the vSAN Cluster Using the Shutdown Cluster Wizard