ESXi won't work with PowerChute Network Shutdown.

[horizn_apc]

Hi,

I've downloaded and deployed PowerChute Network Shutdown VM on my single VMWare host. Now I am trying to configure it to automatically shutdown all VM's in case of power outage as described here:

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/PMAR-9DNLQK/PMAR-9DNLQK_R2_EN.pdf

For some reason I don't have listed the same options in the left pane of my PowerChute Network Shutdown menu (like on screenshots in manual linked above):

UPS can communicate with vSphere, so this is not a problem. What is wrong here?

[BillP]

Hi,

When configure with a single ESXi host PCNS does not offer the option to power down the VMs. Powering down of the VMs is the responsibility of the host. See Kbase FA159688

[horizn_apc]

I've configured vSphere as described in the link you've posted:

Then unplugged power from the UPS:

and VM's weren't powered off. VMWare server is not plugged into that (UPS), to test is it working properly or not.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Please review VMware knowledge base document 1008182. If after reviewing the VMware Knowledge base document you are still experiencing an issue with the VMs not powering down please contact VMware technical support for assistance. 

NOTE: VMware does not support the shutdown of the host and VMs if the host is not fully licensed. VMware licenses required are Standard, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus. VMware restricts RCLI (remote command line interface) administration access for the free version of ESXi. there is no write access so PCNS cannot communicate with the host. Also, to ensure graceful Virtual Machine (VM) shutdown due to a UPS critical event, each VM must have VMware Tools installed.