Unexpected graceful shutdown of ESXi host due to ACPI power button signal

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware Cloud Foundation

Issue/Introduction

• The host shuts down gracefully without generating a core dump or PSOD.
• vobd.log:

  • YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS In(14) vobd[2098052]:  [UserLevelCorrelator] 12197934893431us: [vob.user.hostd.host.poweroff.reason] Reason for power off: <Reason for reboot: The host is being powered off through Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).>, User: <UNKNOWN_USER>

  • Within vmkernel.log:
    

    YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS In(182) vmkernel: cpu0:2097776)VMKAcpi: 305: Power button pressed; requesting graceful shutdown and poweroff
    

Environment

ESXi: 8.0 U3e

VCF: 5.2.1

Cause

The ESXi kernel initiated a graceful power-off sequence after receiving a legitimate ACPI hardware interrupt signal indicating the physical or virtual power button was depressed.

Resolution

1. Correlate the exact log timestamp with the hardware System Event Logs found inside the server out-of-band management interface (e.g., Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller [iDRAC], Integrated Lights Out [iLO], Integrated Management Module [IMM]).

2. Inspect the out-of-band management audit log to determine if an IPMI, Redfish, or remote console power-off command was programmatically executed.

3. Verify physical hardware state inside the server rack to guarantee no mechanical pressure from adjacent cabling or loose server bezels is directly impacting the front-panel power chassis toggle.