right configuration for Vmware Cluster with 2 different UPS

[BillP]

Hi,

We have a cluster with 3 hosts in 2 different locations. 2 hosts (VH1 and VH3) in one location with an UPS1 and 1 host (VH2) with UPS2.

So on the first step we will monitor UPS2 and if the is a power event (on Battery)we want to migrate all VM's from host VH2 to the 2 additional ones hosts VH1 and VH3 and shutdown host VH2.

So we installed the Powerchute network shutdown on a physical Windows machine connected to UPS1.

Single UPS and vcenter connection.

We don't want to shutdown the Powerchute machine neither the UPS2.

So we enable on the virtualization settings just the VM Migration and Shutdown Settings "Don't turn off the UPS" and under host protection we just see VH2

Which event we have to setup to trigger the migration and the shutdown of the host?

When we enable the Shutdown when the UPS is on Battery, will then the migration start when the UPS2 goes to Battery?

[BillP]

Hi,

the recommended configuration is to install PowerChute Network Shutdown (PCNS) at each site. When the UPS at site 1 switches to battery the PowerChute client at site 1 will react. When the UPS at site 2 switches to battery the PowerChute client at site 2 will react. 

I recommend you review Application Note 180. Configuring for multiple sites is discussed starting on page 11.

Application Note 180 list both PCNS and vCenter running on Windows server at each location not as VMs on the host/s. You can install the PowerChute VM and you can install vCenter Server VM. If you do install PowerChute and vCenter VMs these VMs should not be migrated. Also, running vCenter as a VM and configured for multiple sites is not an officially support configuration.

On 11/7/2017 7:51 AM, Juergen said:

Which event we have to setup to trigger the migration and the shutdown of the host?

You can configure PowerChute to start the shutdown and migration processes after the UPS has been on battery for a set amount of time or when the UPS has a set amount of runtime remaining. Both these events are explained in the User's Guide starting on page 101 or by clicking on Help from within the PowerChute web interface. 

Configuring migration is discussed starting on page 26 of the User's Guide and also in Help. 

[BillP]

So this means when I enabled the UPS on Battery shutdown event with a delay with 90 seconds. The whole migration process will when the UPS is on battery for more then 90 seconds and when the migration is finished the host will be shut down.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

On 11/8/2017 10:07 AM, Juergen said:

So this means when I enabled the UPS on Battery shutdown event with a delay with 90 seconds. The whole migration process will when the UPS is on battery for more then 90 seconds and when the migration is finished the host will be shut down.

Correct. After the UPS has run on battery for 90 seconds PowerChute will begin the shutdown process. If migration has been configure the VMs will migrate and then the host will be commanded to power down.