Guest host do not turn on after power outage, how to fix ?

[VMHidetoshi]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum so let me know if I done something wrong please !

I has a ESXi host and 2 guest servers.

I already setup host configuration -> Virtual Machine Startup / Shutdown. (please see attachment)

However the guest Servers still do not turn on after power outage.

is there any bug or did I miss other configuration ?

Many Thanks,

Hidetoshi

[vHaridas]

can you attach below files here.

/var/log/messages and /etc/vmware/hostd/vmAutoStart.xml

[Muthur85]

HI

VMware vCenter server 4.x, 5.x, and 6.0 includes the ability to configure startup ordering. To configure these startup options:

Note: The Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown (automatic startup) feature is disabled for all virtual machines residing on hosts that are in (or moved into) a VMware HA enabled cluster. Automatic startup is not supported when the virtual machine is HA enabled. As a result, starting with vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1, the Allow virtual machines to start and stop automatically with the systemis available though enabling this feature has no affect at this time.

1. 1. Access the settings:
   1. a. Give focus to the host in vCenter.
   2. b. Click the Configuration tab.
   3. c. Select Virtual Machine Startup / Shutdown under Software.
   4. d. Click Properties in the upper right hand side of the window.
2. 2. Select the options you want:
   1. a. In order to be able to configure any options, enable Allow virtual machines to start and stop automatically with the system.
   2. b. Enter a value for the Default Startup Delay, in order to delay the startup activity for a period of time after the boot process completes.
      
      Note: It may be required to shutdown the virtual machine to apply this setting if you receive the error:
      
      The attempted operation cannot be performed in the current state (Powered on)
   3. c. Enter a value for the Default Shutdown Delay, in order to delay the shutdown activity for a period of time. Select theShutdown Action to be performed:
      
      
      
      • Guest Shutdown, to shut down the guest gracefully. This requires an updated version of VMware Tools to be installed in the guest.
      • Power off, to abruptly stop power to the virtual machine, such as pulling the power cord on a physical machine.
      • Suspend, to pause the virtual machine at that moment in time, like hibernating a physical machine.
   4. d. To start up the virtual machines in a particular order, configure the three Startup Order categories:
      
      
      
      • Automatic: This category allows you to choose the sequence, by moving machines into this category, then arranging them in order.
      • Any order: In this category, the machines are started in whatever sequence the host prefers (more or less randomized).
      • Manual: In this category, the default, the machines are not automatically restarted. You must power them on manually.
3. 3. Click OK when finished.

Regards,

Muthukumar.R

[VMHidetoshi]

Hi,

there was not /var/log/messages  file.

this is the /etc/vmware/hostd/vmAutoStart.xml

<ConfigRoot>

  <AutoStartOrder>

    <_length>2</_length>

    <_type>vim.host.AutoStartManager.AutoPowerInfo[]</_type>

    <e id="0">

      <_type>vim.host.AutoStartManager.AutoPowerInfo</_type>

      <key>

        <_type>vim.VirtualMachine</_type>

        <moid>2</moid>

      </key>

      <startAction>PowerOn</startAction>

      <startDelay>-1</startDelay>

      <startOrder>1</startOrder>

      <stopAction>SystemDefault</stopAction>

      <stopDelay>-1</stopDelay>

      <waitForHeartbeat>systemDefault</waitForHeartbeat>

    </e>

    <e id="1">

      <_type>vim.host.AutoStartManager.AutoPowerInfo</_type>

      <key>

        <_type>vim.VirtualMachine</_type>

        <moid>3</moid>

      </key>

      <startAction>PowerOn</startAction>

      <startDelay>-1</startDelay>

      <startOrder>2</startOrder>

      <stopAction>SystemDefault</stopAction>

      <stopDelay>-1</stopDelay>

      <waitForHeartbeat>systemDefault</waitForHeartbeat>

    </e>

  </AutoStartOrder>

  <SystemDefaults>

    <_type>vim.host.AutoStartManager.SystemDefaults</_type>

    <enabled>true</enabled>

    <startDelay>120</startDelay>

    <stopAction>PowerOff</stopAction>

    <stopDelay>120</stopDelay>

    <waitForHeartbeat>false</waitForHeartbeat>

  </SystemDefaults>

</ConfigRoot>

Thanks

[VMHidetoshi]

Hi Muthur85,

I setup them already as I mention above however they did not work.

Thanks,

[vHaridas]

in /var/log/syslog.log can you see if VM auto start script is executing or not.

in ESXi 6 I can see logs like below for auto starting VM.

2016-05-11T10:47:00Z init: starting pid 35066, tty '': '/bin/vmware-autostart.sh start'

2016-05-11T10:47:00Z init: starting pid 35069, tty '/dev/tty1': '/bin/initterm.sh tty1 /bin/techsupport.sh'

2016-05-11T10:47:00Z init: starting pid 35070, tty '/dev/tty2': '-/bin/initterm.sh tty2 /bin/dcuiweasel'

2016-05-11T10:47:00Z VMware[startup]: Starting VMs

if there is any error in starting VMs, it will report in syslog.log file.

Please upload syslog.log file.

see if '/bin/vmware-autostart.sh' is exist or not?

also remove VMs from auto start configuration and read it.