To pin a DSVA to an ESX host:
Option A: DSVA in local datastore
Install DSVA on local datastore to prevent vMotioning to other ESX hosts.
VMs, including DSVA, situated on a local datastore cannot be vMotioned. They are not affected by the DRS and HA settings of the cluster.
Option B: DSVA installed on shared storage (SAN/NAS)
Like any other VM, DSVA is subjected to migration on an HA and DRS-enabled cluster. To prevent DSVA from being vMotioned to another ESX host:
- On a DRS-enabled cluster, set the DRS settings of the DSVA to Disabled.
vCenter does not migrate nor provide migration recommendation to a VM whose DRS configuration is disabled.To disable DRS on a particular VM:
- Right-click the cluster and then click Edit Settings.
- Under vSphereDRS, click Virtual Machine Options.
- Locate the particular VM and then select Disabled from the Automation Level dropdown.
- Click OK.
- On HA-enabled cluster with or without DRS enabled, create a VM-to-Host affinity rule.
When an ESX host fails, shuts down, or is placed in maintenance mode, HA allows a VM to be migrated and restarted in a different ESX host. This can cause the DSVA or any VM to be migrated to other ESX hosts even when the DRS configuration is disabled.
To create a VM-to-Host affinity rule:
- Right-click the cluster and then click Edit Settings.
- Under vSphereDRS, click DRS Group Manager.
- Under Virtual Machines DRS Groups, click Add.
- In the Name box, type a name for the VM group (example: DSVA1).
Note: We will only include one VM (DSVA) as member of the VM DRS group. - Select the DSVA VM, then click the right arrow button to move the machine to the Virtual Machines in this DRS group.
- Click OK.
- Under Host DRS group, click Add.
- In the Name box, provide a name for the ESX host group (example: ESX1).
- Select the ESX then click the right arrow button to move it to the Hosts in this DRS group.
- Click OK.
- Under vSphere DRS, click Rules > Add.
- Provide a rule name (example: DSVA1-ESX1 or DSVA1 to ESX1).
- In the Type dropdown, select Virtual Machine to Hosts.
- Under DRS Groups, go to the Cluster VM Group dropdown then select the DSVA VM (example: DSVA1).
- Under Cluster VM Group, select Must run on hosts in group.
- Under Cluster Host Group, select the ESX to be protected by the DSVA in the DSVA group.
- Click OK to save.
- Click OK to close the window.
DRS, VMware HA, and VMware DPM will not perform an action that will violate an affinity or anti-affinity rule.