(9630) ESXi Hosts' Graceful Shutdown - 2 Hosts, Each on Own UPS

[Anonymous user]

For some reason, I'm not able to process exactly how this should work. I started out with one ESXi 5.5 host on a SUA1000 communicating through a VMA appliance to a 9630 NMC. All has been great, and a couple weeks ago got a second ESXi 5.5 host up and running behind another SUA1000/9630 combo.

That second host is now apart of a cluster (DRS/HA enabled), but can't seem to figure out how I can get it to gracefully shutdown in a multi host, multi UPS situation.

I expect I will need to setup a DRS rule in the cluster and tie a VMA appliance to each host it. That leads to my next question - Is the logic within the Powerchute software capable enough to dynamically shutdown VM's depending on where they're currently running?

For example, I want vCenter shutdown last, after all other VMs have been powered off. Only then is it OK for the ESXi hosts to being powering down. Depending on how DRS moves a particular VM around (except the VMA appliances I have a DRS rule in place for), Powerchute would need to be aware of what host they're on. Hopefully that is the case?

I just haven't been able to find any topics on situations like this, or my Google-fu is weak. How I setup my first host is from here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vmware/comments/r0uu7/securing_esxi_cluster_with_apc_ups/

Thanks in advance!

[BillP]

Hi,

Couple of questions.

1 - What version of PCNS are you running?

2 - Are both host part of the same cluster?

BTW: have you read Application Note 180?

[Anonymous user]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your reply. I am running PCNS v4.0.0, and both hosts are part of the same cluster.

That is a good KB you linked to, I think I am running Setup 2, right?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hi Bill,

I'm pretty confident after reading the Tech Note 180 that Setup 2 is my scenario. What is the reasoning that PCNS needs to be on a dedicated physical Windows box? Is that so it can initiate the power on command after mains power has been restored? That wouldn't be able to happen if the VMA virtual appliance is off as part of the shutdown sequence.