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1,139 Views 3 Replies Last post: Apr 30, 2009 5:17 PM by mplubratt RSS
mplubratt Novice
mplubratt
7 posts since
Nov 26, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Apr 16, 2009 5:21 PM

After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs

Hello!

 

I'm running ESX Server 3i, 3.5.0 and recently updated to build 158869.  I have 5 VMs set in VIC for auto-start.  Up until the last two updates, the auto-start happens without a problem when ESX is restarted.  Lately, however, I've had to manually restart my 5 VMs after starting ESX.

 

Has anyone else run into this problem?  There aren't any messages on any of the Event tabs for the VMs in VI Client.  Since I'm running the free version, I don't have a CLI either.

 

I've tried turning off all of the auto-starts, rebooting, then restoring all of the auto-starts and rebooting - no luck.  I've also tried toggling maintenance mode - no luck. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Mark

Tags: esx3i, auto_start
Dave.Mishchen… Guru User Moderators vExpert
Dave.Mishchen…
11,904 posts since
Nov 15, 2005
Currently Being Moderated
1. Apr 16, 2009 8:48 PM in response to: mplubratt
Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs

I tried it with a system that was Update 3 --> patched to Update 4 and now patched to the latest and the autostart option is still working OK.  I presume your auto start setting are still configured. 

 

Autostart log data will be in /var/log/vmware/hostd.log.  In the log you should see

 

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Datastore alias configuration file is /etc/vmware/hostd/datastores.xml

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs VM autostart configuration: /etc/vmware/hostd/vmAutoStart.xml

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Could not establish init directory for service vmware-vpxa

 

followed later by start tasks.

 

 

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Task Created : haTask--vim.host.AutoStartManager.autoPowerOn-6

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Task Created : haTask-80-vim.VirtualMachine.powerOn-7

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Event 5 : vima-ovf-124830 on host localhost.localdomain in ha-datacenter is starting

2009-04-17 03:39:09.868 'vm:/vmfs/volumes/49d4f7ea-3128e5ce-5b34-00235406f3a6/vima-ovf-124830/vima-ovf-124830.vmx' 147466 info State Transition (VM_STATE_OFF -> VM_STATE_POWERING_ON)

mplubratt Novice
mplubratt
7 posts since
Nov 26, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
2. Apr 18, 2009 11:45 AM in response to: Dave.Mishchen…
Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs

Thanks, David.

 

I found the first part of the log files:

 

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Datastore alias configuration file is /etc/vmware/hostd/datastores.xml

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs VM autostart configuration: /etc/vmware/hostd/vmAutoStart.xml

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Could not establish init directory for service vmware-vpxa

 

However, I couldn't find anything from the TaskManager regarding AutoStartManager.

 

I have a LOT of these:

 

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs: User root

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Event 4 : Failed to login user root@127.0.0.1: No permission

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Activation Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs : Invoke done Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs on vim.SessionManager:ha-sessionmgr

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Throw vim.fault.NoPermission

Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs Result:

(vim.fault.NoPermission) {

   dynamicType = ,

   object = 'vim.Folder:ha-folder-root',

   privilegeId = "System.View",

   msg = ""

}

 

 

So, I don't know if it's not starting, or what the problem may be...

 

But, If I search all of the hostd logs, I only find the one reference to 'AutoStartManager' (above).

 

Any other ideas?

 

Thanks!

Mark

mplubratt Novice
mplubratt
7 posts since
Nov 26, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
3. Apr 30, 2009 5:17 PM in response to: mplubratt
Re: After update, ESX Server 3i will not auto-start VMs

Problem solved.

 

I'm running my ESXi system all by itself.  As a security precaution, I enabled Lockdown Mode.  Apparently if the system isn't part of a VirtualCenter, this can cause problems.  I disabled Lockdown Mode and everything is now working as it should.

 

-Mark

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