Putting a VMware ESXi host into maintenance mode is typically a routine task in vSphere environments but sometimes unexpected issues can derail the process. I encountered a scenario where a single virtual machine prevented the host from entering Maintenance Mode. Attempts to perform a manual vMotion migration failed and the root cause turned out to … Continue reading VMware ESXi Host Maintenance Mode blocked by stuck VM with connected device and ISO is not accessible
ESXi
Enable Dell Secure Connect Gateway Connectivity for a VxRail cluster
Dell Secure Connect Gateway enabled on a cluster or hosts can send health data to the VxRail Support team and provide secure automated access between Support and your VxRail. This guide shows how I enabled Support Connectivity to one of my VxRail clusters by completing the follow tasks: Begin configuration from vCenter Test Gateway connection … Continue reading Enable Dell Secure Connect Gateway Connectivity for a VxRail cluster
ESXi host mappings unexpectedly removed from SAN
A storage administrator mistakenly removed the VMware ESXi host mappings which were still mapped and being used in Production environment from the SAN. This of course impacted live services and I was the lucky person on call. I've posted this because I'd hoped that simply readding the host mappings on the storage might resolve the … Continue reading ESXi host mappings unexpectedly removed from SAN
vMotion failing with “The VM failed to resume on the destination during early power on. The source detected that the destination failed to resume.”
VMware KB 59665 advises to reboot the VM to clear any locks but I found this wasn't required. I completed a Storage vMotion of the VM Configuration file to another datastore and the VM was then able to vMotion successfully which meant no downtime for the Production servers! Remember to move the VM Configuration file … Continue reading vMotion failing with “The VM failed to resume on the destination during early power on. The source detected that the destination failed to resume.”
Use PowerCLI to find which VMs restarted after a HA protected host failure
One of my hosts in a HA protected cluster crashed and I usually use vRealize Log Insight to retrieve a list of VMs which have been restarted on other hosts but in this instance, the host in question didn't seem to have been logging correctly and I wasn't getting any results back. I found a … Continue reading Use PowerCLI to find which VMs restarted after a HA protected host failure
Define The Data Centre 