3 node cluster with HA - Restarting machines after graceful shutdown

[craigcoulson]

Server - Dell VTRX populated with 3 Physical server blades

ESXi6 (dell vtrx optimised) on the 3 servers

VTRX SAN with dual controllers

HA enabled

vCenter server appliance

I want to have the main guests startup automatically after a graceful shutdown (AD +DNS +TS +vCenter)

I have read that HA will take care if there is a failure but this is not a fail but a graceful maintenance shutdown and restart

How can i achieve this ?  Thanks in advance

[craigcoulson]

Doesnt anyone else think this is a oversight by VMWare ?

HA enabled guests cannot restart automatically after a graceful shutdown - but non-HA guests can

vApp can be utilised to group machines together and have them autostart but needs DRS which doesn't come with essentials plus

I need a solution for this !!!

[jhague]

Unfortunately automatic restart outside of HA isn't supported when HA is enabled - Automating the process of starting and stopping virtual machines on VMware ESX\ESXi (850) | VMware K...

It could potentially interfere or conflict with the way HA works I expect.

Are you not able to vMotion your VMs prior to graceful shutdown - I thought vMotion was included in Essentials Plus?

[craigcoulson]

Yes it is included but vMotion to where ? im shutting the whole VTRX box down ??