ESXI Autostart Order Not Keeping from Cold Reboot

Have you ever experienced issues with the autostart order not being maintained after a cold reboot on your ESXi server? This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on specific virtual machines (VMs) to start up in a particular order. In this article, we will explore this problem and provide some possible solutions.

Understanding Autostart Order

Autostart order refers to the sequence in which VMs are powered on automatically when the ESXi host starts up. This order is important because some VMs may depend on others to function properly. For example, if you have a database server VM that relies on a web server VM, the web server VM should start first before the database server VM.

Possible Causes

There are a few reasons why the autostart order may not be maintained after a cold reboot:

1. Configuration Issue: It's possible that the autostart order is not properly configured in the ESXi host settings.
2. Timing Issue: The VMs may be starting up simultaneously, causing conflicts and disrupting the desired order.
3. Dependency Issue: If there are dependencies between VMs, such as shared resources or network connections, they may not be fully established before the next VM starts.

Possible Solutions

Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the autostart order issue:

1. Verify Autostart Order: Double-check the autostart order configuration in the ESXi host settings. Ensure that the VMs are listed in the desired startup sequence.
2. Delay VM Startup: If the issue is related to timing, you can add a delay to the startup of each VM. This can be done through the ESXi host settings or by editing the VM's configuration file. Increase the delay time for each subsequent VM to ensure the desired order.
3. Use Startup Scripts: Another approach is to use startup scripts within the VMs themselves. These scripts can be used to delay the startup of services or applications within the VM, allowing for proper initialization before the next VM starts.
4. Check Dependencies: If there are dependencies between VMs, make sure that they are properly configured. For example, if a VM relies on shared storage, ensure that the storage is accessible before the VM starts.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the autostart order issue and ensure that your VMs start up in the desired sequence.

Conclusion

Maintaining the autostart order of VMs after a cold reboot is crucial for a smooth and efficient operation of your ESXi server. By verifying the configuration, adjusting timing, using startup scripts, and checking dependencies, you can overcome the autostart order issue and ensure that your VMs start up in the correct sequence.

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