You can configure auto start options for a virtual machine to set up the virtual machine to start before or after the other virtual machines on the host.

Procedure

  1. Click Virtual Machines in the VMware Host Client inventory.
  2. Right-click a virtual machine from the list.
  3. To configure any autostart option, select Autostart > Configure.
  4. To set up the default timing and startup order for virtual machines, select an option from the pop-up menu.
    Option Description
    Start delay Select the time in seconds. After the ESXi host powers on the first virtual machine, the host waits for the specified delay time and powers on the next virtual machine.
    Stop delay Select the time in seconds.

    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 you specify, the host shuts down the next virtual machine.
    Stop action From the Stop action drop-down menu, 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 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.
  5. Click Save.