Example Shutdowns: Advanced Cluster Configurations

VMware Shutdown - Advanced UPS Configuration

Here, separate UPS devices are powering two VMware hosts: the vCenter Server and a storage array. PowerChute is installed on the vCenter Server machine and is monitoring all UPS’s. A shutdown command file has been configured for UPS Setup #1 containing UPS #1.

Critical event on UPS #4: Option to shut down virtual hosts is enabled for this UPS. VM Migration is not enabled.

UPS #4 goes on battery.
PowerChute issues a command to gracefully turn off UPS #4, if this has been configured.
The UPS Critical event is triggered for the two VMware hosts in the cluster.
PowerChute starts a maintenance mode task on the two VMware hosts, and shuts down the VMs/vApps on the two VMware hosts.
PowerChute shuts down the two VMware hosts.
As the physical machine is not affected PowerChute continues to run.

Critical event on UPS #1: Option to shut down virtual hosts and the physical machine are enabled for this UPS. VM migration is not enabled.

UPS #1 goes on battery.
PowerChute issues command to gracefully turn off UPS #1, if configured.
A UPS critical event is triggered for the two VMware hosts.
PowerChute starts a maintenance mode task on the two VMware hosts, and shuts down the VMs/vApps on the two VMware hosts.
The shutdown command file is executed.
After the shutdown command file duration has elapsed, if all VMs have shut down, the maintenance mode task completes and PowerChute shuts down the two VMware hosts.
PowerChute shuts down the vCenter Server machine.

For detailed information, please view “Using PowerChute Network Shutdown in a VMware HA Cluster” Application Note here.