You place a host in maintenance mode when you need to service it, for example, to install more memory. A host enters or leaves maintenance mode only as the result of a user request.

Virtual machines that are running on a host entering maintenance mode need to be migrated to another host (either manually or automatically by DRS) or shut down. The host is in a state of Entering Maintenance Mode until all running virtual machines are powered down or migrated to different hosts. You cannot power on virtual machines or migrate virtual machines to a host entering maintenance mode.

When no more running virtual machines are on the host, the host’s icon changes to include under maintenance and the host’s Summary panel indicates the new state. While in maintenance mode, the host does not allow you to deploy or power on a virtual machine.

Note: DRS does not recommend (or perform, in fully automated mode) any virtual machine migrations off of a host entering maintenance or standby mode if the vSphere HA failover level would be violated after the host enters the requested mode.

Procedure

  1. Browse to the host in the vSphere Client.
  2. Right-click the host and select Maintenance Mode > Enter Maintenance Mode.
    • If the host is part of a partially automated or manual DRS cluster, browse to Cluster > Monitor > DRS > Recommendations and click Apply Recommendations.
    • If the host is part of an automated DRS cluster, virtual machines are migrated to different hosts when the host enters maintenance mode.
  3. If applicable, click Yes.

Results

The host is in maintenance mode until you select Maintenance Mode > Exit Maintenance Mode.