My ESXi doesn't start any VMs upon reboot/crash.
Is this the default desired behaviour for ESXi?
~ # grep auto /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/zork/zork.vmx
autostart = "poweron"
~ # grep -i AutoStart -A5 /var/log/messages
Jan 25 20:02:18 Hostd: 2008-01-25 20:02:18.500 'Hostsvc::AutoStartManager' 16384 info VM autostart configuration: /etc/vmware/hostd/vmAutoStart.xml
Jan 25 20:02:18 Hostd: 2008-01-25 20:02:18.631 'ServiceSystem' 16384 warning Could not establish init directory for service vmware-vpxa
Jan 25 20:02:18 sfcb[1376]: --- sfcbd V1.2.5 started - 1375
Jan 25 20:02:18 sfcb[1376]: --- Using /etc/sfcb/sfcb.cfg
Jan 25 20:02:18 sfcb[1376]: --- Max provider procs: 32
Jan 25 20:02:18 sfcb[1376]: --- initSocketPairs: 64
vmAutoStart.xml in attachment
That wouldn't be a problem at all unless i knew how to start a machine by hand. But i don't. I'm assuming it has something to do with
/bin/vmx
~ # uname -a
VMkernel 3.5.0 #1 SMP Release build-103909
Thank you.
Look under the configuration tab, at "Virtual Machine Startup/Shutdown"
Choose Properties. You can configure the startup/shutdown here.
Jase McCarty
Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center
(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach
I'm embarrassed
Thank you.
Nothing to be embarrassed about. Some of these menus aren't so easily found.
There is nothing wrong with being new to the product. Just enjoy it.
Jase McCarty
Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center
(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach
Assign points if you felt this post was helpful or correct. Thanks!
I am more than embarassed!!
Using ESX3i with the 2.5.0 Infrastructure client, there is no startup/shutdownoption available to me in Inventory or any other menu/tab.
So, where can I look now? I tried in Options in the virtual host but nothing there either.
Thanks.
In the VI client you'll want to select the host. Then click on the Configuration Tab and you should see Virtual Machine Startup /Shutdown. Select that and then click on Properties.
Many thanks - I am now not only embarrassed, but also certified as an idiot for not seeing it!!!!!!
Hi I'm using ESXi 4.0 and vSphere client, but the "Edit" button is grayed out....
Click on the Move Up button to move a virtual machine to Automatic Startup or Any Order. According to your screenshot, all your virtual machines are set to Manual Startup.
I have several VM's, all running FreeBSD with the VMWare tools installed, and upon restarting the ESXi 4.0 host, none of the VM's automatically start, even though they are all configured to do so.
Any ideas?
I am running ESXi 4.1 server, trying to enable VM guests to automatically start when the HOST powers on.
I too have the problem of the EDIT button being grayed out on the "Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown".
Did you ever find a solution for your problem greg?
I am logged in as root, so I am assuming I should have persmission to change this item.
Is it possible I don't have privledge to "Host.Configuration.Virtual Machine Auto-Start Configuration"?
If so, can somone explain how I would enable this priveledge to my root account?
All suggestions are greatly appreciated as I seem to have hit a wall troubleshooting this problem.
P.S. We have very little LINUX experience so detailed instructions help greatly.
Thanks,
Eric
there is a check button at the top ...."allow virtual machine to start and stop automatically......" once you do this, then they are no longer greyed out.
Thanks for the help mtanana, however the 'allow virtual machines to start
and stop automatically with the system' box is already checked.
Everything object/button on the screen is black, with the exception of the
Edit button. The Edit button is still grey.
In the Startup Order section:
My VMs show "Disabled" in the startup column, however I cannot edit them.
I have the same issue with an VMware server (esxi 3) that I have at home.
So since the community hasn't come forward with an answer, I am assuming
there is not a straight-forward fix.
Eric
discussion
"ESXi AutoStart virtual machines?"
To view the discussion, visit:
So I spent some more time on this issue, and FINALLY found the solution.
Hopefully others will find this useful, and save them some headache.
Once you are in the "Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown" configuration
window.
In the bottom 1/2 of this window will be a section labeled "Startup Order".
IF your VM is in the "manual startup" sub-section... The edit button will
be greyed out!
You need to highlight your VM and click the "MOVE UP" button until your VM
is in the "Automatic Startup" sub-section. At which point the Startup
field will automatically change from disabled to enabled.
This fact didn't jump out at me, and I see others have run into the same
issue.
Eric
discussion
"ESXi AutoStart virtual machines?"
To view the discussion, visit:
thanks for your gide...its working..
Hello, I have two servers with ESXi 5 build 623860. Both with a free license.
One has a Linux VM for mail spam filtering and the other one has 3 Win 2008 R2 Std.
All the VMs are configured for Automatic Startup and I even tried the Linux box set as "Any order". The resulting screen shows "Enabled" on the "Startup" column.
The "Allow virtual machines to start and stop automatically with the system" setting is enabled.
I tried with 120 seconds delay for startup, and I also reduced it to 60.
I tried with the "Continue inmediatly if VMware Tools start" setting enabled and disabled.
The machines don't start up automatically no matter how I set them.
I even tried to put them on manual startup, restarted the host, and I put them back to automatic startup and restarted the host again but nothing happens!
Is it a bug?
Is there anything else to set up that I'm missing?
I use the vSphere client v 5 build 455964.
Do I have to use vCenter? http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=850
Thank you so much for this post! I greatly appreciate it.