Vmware and APC Powershute Basics

[adrianmarsh]

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out how best to manage our VM environment.  We've a vSphere 4.1 setup, 2 hosts, 1 shared iSCSI SAN and 1 Smart-UPS. Theres also one more server currently acting as a management/backup/vsphere server.

Currently, Windows Powerchute is installed on the management server, and will send shutdown commands to the windows VMs.

However, that won't power down the Hosts, now will it shutdown Linux VMs, and everytime we create a new one we have to remember to update powerchute.

So - I'm looking for a better method, which to me seems to be to use PCNS 3

If I have my understanding right: I have to install a vMA virtual machine, then install PCNS into that VM, then configure it to talk to the NMC on our UPS.

What I don't see, is how the shutdown of the other VMs is controlled/configured.

I can see mention in the NMC gui about scripts, but I don't know where to start with those (are those needed?? do we have to configure something more?? how do I "test" a shutdown without killing my vms ?)

Any advice will be helpful. I'm finding the documents a little confusing on this step.

[adrianmarsh]

mmm... looks like I need vApps to run vMA... and to run vApps I need DRS... and I don't think the Essentials license package I have includes DRS...

[cjscol]

You shouldn't need vApps to run vMA.  It has been a while since I installed vMA but off the top of my head you down load the vMA image and then import into your vSphere environment using the vSphere client.

[adrianmarsh]

Hi Calvin,

The instructions for the PCNS installation use the Infrastructure Client (is that the old vSphere client??), and then show a vApp import.

The ZIP file I've got looks like its just the VMDK and basics.  I'll keep trying... (failed at the first hurdle...must be time for an xmas break!)

[adrianmarsh]

Ah... the vMA documentation has better instructions for that part OVF Template deployment

[cjscol]

I would look at getting the Powerchute software on the management host to run a PowerCLI script to shutdown your virtual machines and then power off the hosts, somehing like this

Connect-VIServer <your-vcenter-server>

Get-VM | Shutdown-VMGuest

Get-VMHost | Stop-VMHost

You might need to put a delay / check after issuing the Shutdown-VMGuest command before stopping the VMHosts.

You can test this script by putting -Whatif at the end of the last two lines, this way it will show you what it is going to do but not actually do it, e.g.

Connect-VIServer <your-vcenter-server>

Get-VM | Shutdown-VMGuest -WhatIf

Get-VMHost | Stop-VMHost -WhatIf

[adrianmarsh]

mmmm.. ok thats an interesting idea  - I'll certainly look into it. I've not delved into powercli yet, but it might give more control.

Doesn't PCNS shut down the VMs ?