How to enable DPM on cluster level

This article describes how to enable DPM step by step on vCenter.

What is the DPM and how does it works ?

DPM (Distributed Power Management)

Distributed Power Management (DPM) is a power-saving feature that compares the capacity of cluster resources to the resources utilized by VMs within the cluster. If there are enough free resources in the cluster, then DPM recommends migrating the VMs from lightly loaded ESXi hosts and powering off those hosts.

Prerequisites:-

> Ensure that the username and password are correct and that the password.

> On DRAC/ILO, ensure that the IPMI setting "Enable IPMI over LAN" is enabled

> Ensure that the MAC address of the BMC is correct. Also, to reduce the complexity, configure BMC to use a single NIC instead of multiple NICs.

> As best practice, ensure that you use a static BMC IP address

> Ensure that the firewall is open for communication between vCenter and BMC. Communication between the iDrac and the vCenter server is done via port 623, so ensure that this UDP port is open

You may use the below command to check the port connectivity from the vCenter to the BMC :

> Login esxi host via putty session and run the below command.

# nc -uzv <BMC-IP> 623

How to configure IPMI setting on Esxi host:-

> Select the esxi host and go to configuration tab.

> Click Power management tab and click EDIT setting IPMI

> If received the below error

Task Name : Update IPMI or ILO information used by DPM

Status : A specified parameter was not correct: ipmiInfo

Troubleshooting steps:-

> Make sure IPMI settings are enabled.

> Change the password as per passvault/special character and is less than 17 characters in length.

> Give a full permission of User and Enable

> Try again configure IPMI settings on Esxi host.

How to configure DPM settings on cluster side:-

> Select the cluster and got DRS tab.

> Choose DPM option should be enable and click ok.

> If you are getting the below warning popup message(don't ignore)

"The following hosts in the cluster have never exited from standby state, or failed in the last attempt. It is recommended that you manually test the enter and exit standby commands of these hosts before enabling power management. Click Cancel and go to the Host Options page to see which hosts need to be tested (recommended). Click OK to enable power management."