VMware GSX Server 2.5.2

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Special Power Options for Virtual Machines

When VMware Tools is running, you can run scripts when you change the power state of a virtual machine; that is, when you power on, power off, suspend or resume the virtual machine. For more information, see Executing Scripts When the Virtual Machine's Power State Changes.

When you reset a virtual machine, you can choose to restart the guest operating system, which gracefully closes applications and restarts the guest operating system, or reset the virtual machine, which is the same as pressing the reset button on a physical computer.

Similarly, when you power off the virtual machine, you can choose to shut down the guest operating system, which gracefully closes applications and shuts the guest operating system down, or turn off the virtual machine, which is the same as pressing the power button on a physical computer.

All the power options are available on the Power menu. Each menu item corresponds to a button on the toolbar, and opens a submenu containing the associated options. The menu items may not be available, depending upon the current power state of the virtual machine. For example, if the virtual machine is powered off, you cannot select any power off, suspend, resume or reset options.

On a Windows host, these power options are also available on the toolbar. Each power button has an arrow next to it. Click the arrow to open a menu of options related to that power button.

Options for Powering On a Virtual Machine

From a local console, you can choose from the following options when powering on a virtual machine:

Power On For Local Management — powers on the virtual machine in the local console. This is the same as clicking the Power On button on the toolbar.
Power On For Local Management Then Run Script — powers on the virtual machine in the local console, then executes the associated script.
Power On For Remote Management — powers on the virtual machine headless. The virtual machine powers on, but does not open in a console window. The virtual machine can be connected to with remote consoles. The local console remains open.

From a remote console, you can choose from the following options when powering on a virtual machine:

Power On Virtual Machine — powers on the virtual machine in the remote console. This is the same as clicking the Power On button on the toolbar.
Power On Then Run Script — powers on the virtual machine in a remote console, then executes the associated script.

Options for Powering Off a Virtual Machine

You can choose from the following options when powering off a virtual machine:

Power Off Virtual Machine — powers off the virtual machine. This is similar to turning off a physical computer by pressing its power button, so any programs running in the virtual machine may be adversely affected. Clicking the Power Off button on the toolbar powers off the virtual machine.
Shut Down Guest Operating System — gracefully shuts the guest operating system down and, if the guest operating system supports Advanced Power Management, powers off the virtual machine. If there is a script associated with this power operation, it executes after the shut down begins. This is the same as choosing Start > Shut Down > Shut Down in a Windows operating system or issuing a shutdown command in a Linux operating system.

Options for Suspending a Virtual Machine

You can choose from the following options when suspending a virtual machine:

Run Script Then Suspend — executes the associated script, then suspends the virtual machine. This is the same as clicking Suspend on the toolbar, unless a script is not associated with suspending a virtual machine.
Suspend Virtual Machine — suspends the virtual machine.

Options for Resuming a Virtual Machine

You can choose from the following options when resuming a virtual machine:

Resume Then Run Script — resumes the suspended virtual machine, then executes the associated script. This is the same as clicking Resume on the toolbar, unless a script is not associated with resuming a virtual machine.
Resume Virtual Machine — resumes the suspended virtual machine.

Options for Resetting a Virtual Machine

You can choose from the following options when resetting a virtual machine:

Reset Virtual Machine — resets the virtual machine. This is similar to resetting a physical computer by pressing its reset button, so any programs running in the virtual machine may be adversely affected. Clicking the Reset button on the toolbar resets the virtual machine.
Restart Guest Operating System — gracefully restarts the virtual machine. This is the same as choosing Start > Shut Down > Restart in a Windows operating system or issuing a reboot command in a Linux operating system.

Special power operations can be performed from the VMware Management Interface. For more information, see Using the Status Monitor.

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