Configure autostart options for the ESXi host to set up when the host starts and stops.

Procedure

  1. Click Manage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click System.
  2. Click Autostart.
  3. Click Edit settings.
  4. Select Yes to enable changing the autostart configuration.
    Option Description
    Start delay After you start the ESXi host, it starts powering on the virtual machines that are configured for automatic startup. After the ESXi host powers on the first virtual machine, the host waits for the specified delay time and then powers on the next virtual machine.
    Stop delay Stop delay is the maximum time the ESXi host waits for a shutdown command to complete. The order in which virtual machines are shut down is the reverse of their startup order. After the ESXi host shuts down the first virtual machine within the time that you specify, the host shuts down the next virtual machine. If a virtual machine does not shut down within the specified delay time, the host runs a power off command and then starts shutting down the next virtual machine. The ESXi host shuts down only after all virtual machines are shut down.
    Stop action Select a shut down action that is applicable to the virtual machines on the host when the host shuts down.
    • System default
    • Power off
    • Suspend
    • Shut down
    Wait for heartbeat Select Yes to enable the Wait for heartbeat option. You can use this option if the guest operating system of the virtual machine has VMware Tools installed. After the ESXi host powers on the first virtual machine, the host immediately powers on the next virtual machine. The startup order in which virtual machines are powered on continues after the virtual machine receives the first heartbeat.
    If you set a delay option to -1, the system uses the default option.
  5. Click Save.