You can enable or disable services from either the vSphere Client or the vSphere Web Client.

After installation, certain services are running by default, while others are stopped. Sometimes, additional setup is necessary before a service becomes available in the UI. For example, the NTP service is a way of getting accurate time information, but this service only works when required ports are opened in the firewall.

Prerequisites

Connect to vCenter Server with either the vSphere Client or the vSphere Web Client.

Procedure

  1. Browse to a host in the inventory.
  2. Navigate to the services section.
    Option Description
    vSphere Client
    1. Click Configure.
    2. Under System, click Services.
    vSphere Web Client
    1. Click Configure.
    2. Under System, click Security Profile.
  3. Manage services.
    Option Description
    vSphere Client
    1. Select the service you want to change.
    2. Select Restart, Start, or Stop for a one-time change to the host's status.
    3. To change the status of the host across reboots, click Edit Startup Policy and select a policy.
    vSphere Web Client
    1. Click Edit.
    2. Scroll to the service that you want to change.
    3. In the Service Details pane, select Start, Stop, or Restart for a one-time change to the host's status.
    4. To change the status of the host across reboots, select a policy from the Startup Policy menu.
    • Start and stop with host: The service starts shortly after the host starts, and closes shortly before the host shuts down. Much like Start and stop with port usage, this option means that the service regularly attempts to complete its tasks, such as contacting the specified NTP server. If the port was closed but is later opened, the client begins completing its tasks shortly thereafter.
    • Start and stop manually: The host preserves the user-determined service settings, regardless of whether ports are open or not. When a user starts the NTP service, that service is kept running if the host is powered on. If the service is started and the host is powered off, the service is stopped as part of the shutdown process, but as soon as the host is powered on, the service is started again, preserving the user-determined state.
    • Start and stop with port usage: The default setting for these services. If any port is open, the client attempts to contact the network resources for the service. If some ports are open, but the port for a particular service is closed, the attempt fails. If and when the applicable outgoing port is opened, the service begins completing its startup.
    Note: These settings apply only to service settings that are configured through the UI or to applications that are created with the vSphere Web Services SDK. Configurations made through other means, such as from the ESXi Shell or with configuration files, are not affected by these settings.
  4. Click OK.