Clarification on vSAN Cluster Shutdown Wizard Workload Virtual Machine Power Operations
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Clarification on vSAN Cluster Shutdown Wizard Workload Virtual Machine Power Operations

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Article ID: 435697

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

In VMware vSAN environments, administrators often require clarification on whether the vSAN Cluster Shutdown wizard automatically powers off workload virtual machines and if it enforces the "No Data Migration" setting during automated placement of ESXi hosts into maintenance mode.

  • Manual Actions: Powering off workload and tenant virtual machines.

  • Automated Actions: Powering off system virtual machines (vCLS, vCenter Server, vSAN File Service), disabling High Availability (HA), and placing ESXi hosts into Maintenance Mode using the "No Data Migration" option.

Environment

VMware vSAN 8.x
VMware vSAN 9.x

Cause

The vSAN Cluster Shutdown wizard orchestrates system virtual machine power operations and ESXi host maintenance mode workflows, but explicitly excludes user workload virtual machines from automated power-off sequences to prevent unintended tenant service disruptions.

The "No Data Migration" option is utilized by design; because the entire cluster is shutting down, there are no active destination hosts available to receive migrated data.

Resolution

  1. Manually power off all user workload and tenant virtual machines residing within the target vSAN cluster.

  2. Verify that all virtual machines, excluding system virtual machines (e.g., vCenter Server, vCLS, vSAN File Service), are in a powered off state.

  3. Validate that the Skyline Health vSAN pre-checks report a healthy state. Administrators must resolve any "Red" or "Yellow" health findings and ensure all data resynchronization tasks are fully complete before proceeding.

  4. Initiate the vSAN Cluster Shutdown wizard. The wizard automatically places each ESXi host into Maintenance Mode utilizing the "No Data Migration" option.

  5. Record the "Orchestration Host" IP address identified by the wizard. This IP address is required to monitor the shutdown progress after the vCenter Server virtual machine is powered down.

  6. Allow the wizard to complete the automated power-down sequence for the remaining system virtual machines and ESXi hosts.

Note: For complex environments or stretched clusters, consult the official VMware documentation for specific topology shutdown prerequisites.

Additional Information

Shutdown procedure for vSAN cluster (420087)

Shut Down the vSAN Cluster

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