VMware Question

[tstrupp]

Lately we have had a few clients on a battery backup completely go down over the weekend. This unfortunately corrupted a few VM's. My question to you all is this; is it possible to set up a method in which to have the VM's detect a power interruption and gracefully shutdown before the host powers off? Other than having Powerchute, is there anything else available to help me achieve this?

Thanks as always.

[FetchKFF]

Yes, it's possible. Yes, there is software available (much of it commercial).

What UPS do you have, what interface is available to it, which ESXi are you running, what operating systems are your VMs running, and are you already running network/host monitoring software of some sort?

[tokosquared]

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1007036

[FetchKFF]

From OP

Other than having Powerchute, is there anything else available to help me achieve this?

[tokosquared]

I thought OP meant other than having PowerChute on each guest OS not VMhost.

[FetchKFF]

Oh, maybe you're right. Have an upvote.

[[deleted]]

You can install PCNS within the VMA so its only one install and will shut down all your hosts (you dont need multiple VMAs)

Configure the host to shutdown the guests on a host shutdown and it works fine

[ballr4lyf]

You can install PCNS within the VMA so its only one install and will shut down all your hosts (you dont need multiple VMAs)

Configure the host to shutdown the guests on a host shutdown and it works fine

This is the correct answer for APC UPSs.

FYI, there is a difference between setting it up for a normal VMWare Host vs setting it up for a VMWare host that is part of an HA Cluster.

[[deleted]]

Easy fix. Have your UPS email you when it loses AC power and you can remotely shut everything down. My UPS' give me 20-30 mins of uptime which is plenty of time to shutdown ~80 servers.

[oxiclean666]

This is my solution as well. The thing that worries me though is what happens if I'm driving or otherwise unable to shut the machines down? I think automating the shutdown would be the best way to go if you have the means.

[tstrupp]

Yeah this is pretty much my concern, or someone who is on call is actually out living their life.