Virtual Machine Power State Behavior with Manual Startup Configuration

Products

• VMware vSphere ESX 8.x
• VMware vCenter Server 8.0

Issue/Introduction

When an ESXi host is rebooted or powered on, virtual machines configured under the Manual Startup section of the VM Startup/Shutdown settings do not automatically power on, even if they were in a powered-off state prior to the host reboot

Environment

VMware ESXi 7.x/8.x
VMware vCenter Server 7.x/8.x

Cause

The VM Startup/Shutdown feature is designed to automate the power state of virtual machines based on their specific placement in the configuration list:

• Automatic Startup: VMs in this section will be powered on by the host in the order specified after the host completes its boot process.
•  Any Order: VMs in this section will be powered on in no particular order after the Automatic Startup sequence completes.
•  Manual Startup: This is the default state. The ESXi host will not attempt to change the power state of these VMs during the host boot process. These virtual machines require manual intervention to power on Automating the process.

Resolution

- Kindly refer this KB article before executing the below steps -- https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?articleNumber=390139

- To ensure a virtual machine doesn't powers on when the ESXi host reboots, it must be moved from the Automatic Startup section to Manual Startup.

Steps to Modify Startup Behavior

1. Log into the vSphere Client.
2. Select the ESXi host in the inventory.
3. Navigate to the Configure tab.
4. Under Virtual Machines, select VM Startup/Shutdown.
5. Click Edit.
6. Ensure the checkbox Automatically start and stop the virtual machines with the system is enabled.
7. Locate the desired VM in the Automatic Startup list.
8. Use the arrow icons to move the VM up into the Manual Startup.
9. Click OK to save the changes

- Sample snippets:

1.Test was performed on esxi host "192.###.###.152" by placing  both VM's in powered OFF state.

2. Both VM's placed under "VM Startup/Shutdown" option.

VM name -- Web01 

VM name -- DB01 

-  Rebooted the esxi host and the uptime is 70 seconds.

- The VM "Web01" was automatically powered ON after the host was rebooted and not the other vm "DB01" which was set to "Manual Startup" option.

- Validated the uptime from "Web01" vm CLI.

Additional Information

- vCenter 8.0.2 UI: If you encounter overlapping labels in the Edit dialog, this is a known issue resolved in vCenter 8.0 Update 3g Overlapped labels fix.