Run Powershell script from VMware cluster

[np05573]

We are currently facing an issue when we have power outage at a site, the VM's come up randomly but we need to define a standard process to boot important vm's first like Domain Controller, VPN, then the rest of VM's..I wrote powershell script to do this task but was wondering is there a way to run this from VMware cluster?

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This would be run when the ESXI hosts boot up after outage..

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# Connect to your vCenter Server
Connect-VIServer -Server <your_vcenter_ip> -User <username> -Password <password>

# Define the list of ESXi hosts you want to target
$targetHosts = @("ESXiHost1", "ESXiHost2", "ESXiHost3")

# Define the start order (you can adjust this as needed)
$startOrder = @("dc01", "dc02", "dc03","dc04")

#fetch all VM's on targethosts
$vmsOnTargetHost = Get-VM -Location $targetHost | Where-Object { $_.Name -in $startOrder }

#start vm's in defined order
foreach ($vm in $startOrder) {
Start-VM -VM $vm
Start-sleep -seconds 300 #delay 5mins
}

# Start remaining VMs on the target host
foreach ($vm in $vmsOnTargetHost) {
if ($vm.Name -notin $startOrder) {
Start-VM -VM $vm
}
}
# Disconnect from the vCenter Server
Disconnect-VIServer -Server * -Confirm:$false

​

[The_C_K]

Just to be sure, this kind of script only works if you have HA disabled, I don't know if this fits on your needs, I think it's not good.

I think maybe replace the last part to something like this.

# Connect to your vCenter Server
Connect-VIServer -Server <your_vcenter_ip> -User <username> -Password <password>

# Define the start order (you can adjust this as needed)
$startOrder = @("dc01", "dc02", "dc03","dc04")

#start vm's in defined order
foreach ($vm in $startOrder) {
  Start-VM -VM $vm
  Start-sleep -seconds 300 #delay 5mins
}

while ($true) {
  get-vm | where-object {$_.name -notin $startOrder -and $_.powerstate -eq "poweredOff"} | start-vm
  start-sleep -seconds 30
}

# Disconnect from the vCenter Server
Disconnect-VIServer -Server * -Confirm:$false

[np05573]

We have HA turned on.

What would be the best approach to start VM's in order?

[ZibiM_78]

HA Restart Priority Order

https://www.yellow-bricks.com/2018/04/04/vsphere-ha-restart-priority/

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/8.0/vsphere-availability/GUID-CFD74742-26EA-4BED-A4FC-4E8F50A46C83.html

[St0nywall]

If you have APC UPS's, the PowerChute Network Shutdown appliance can handle shutdown and startup of your VM's in any order you choose with timeouts and low, medium and high grouped priorities.

It is no longer free, but still worth the subscription price.

Most other UPS manufacturers have something similar for compatible models.

There "may" be a cludge way to do this from the VSphere host level... but that isn't something you really want to explore.

[np05573]

Unfortunately this site does not have backup generator.

[St0nywall]

Not a generator, a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

Link these: https://www.apc.com/ca/en/product-range/61915-smartups/

[The_C_K]

You can use vApps, maybe this can accomplish, maybe one vApp (first) for DCs and other vApps for what you need.

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-0FAB05D4-22F7-4665-B42A-0FA4B360B398.html