In VMware vCenter 7.0, automating the shutdown of an entire vSAN cluster is a critical operation, especially in environments requiring graceful shutdowns during power outages or other maintenance activities. While the vSphere Client provides an option to shut down the entire vSAN cluster manually, automating this task can be achieved using VMware PowerCLI or vSphere APIs. As of my last update in April 2023, here’s how you can approach it:

Using PowerCLI

VMware PowerCLI is a powerful command-line tool used for automating vSphere and vSAN tasks. You can use PowerCLI scripts to shut down VMs and hosts in a controlled manner. However, there might not be a direct PowerCLI cmdlet that corresponds to the “Shutdown Cluster” option in the vSphere Client. Instead, you can create a script that sequentially shuts down the VMs and then the hosts in the vSAN cluster. Here’s a basic outline of what such a script might look like:

Connect to vCenter Server:

Connect-VIServer -Server your_vcenter_server -User your_username -Password your_password

Get vSAN Cluster Reference:

$cluster = Get-Cluster "Your_vSAN_Cluster_Name"

Gracefully Shutdown VMs:

Get-VM -Location $cluster | Shutdown-VMGuest -Confirm:$false

Wait for VMs to Shutdown:

# You might want to add logic to wait for all VMs to be powered off

Shutdown ESXi Hosts:

Get-VMHost -Location $cluster | Stop-VMHost -Confirm:$false -Force

Disconnect from vCenter:

Disconnect-VIServer -Server your_vcenter_server -Confirm:$false

Using vSphere API

The vSphere API provides extensive capabilities and can be used for tasks such as shutting down clusters. You can make API calls to perform the shutdown tasks in a sequence similar to the PowerCLI script. The process involves making RESTful API calls or using the SOAP-based vSphere Web Services API to:

1. List all VMs in the cluster.
2. Power off these VMs.
3. Then sequentially shut down the ESXi hosts.

Important Considerations

• Testing: Thoroughly test your script in a non-production environment before implementing it in a production setting.
• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to deal with any issues during the shutdown process.
• vSAN Stretched Cluster: If you are working with a vSAN stretched cluster, consider the implications of shutting down sites.
• Automation Integration: For integration with external automation platforms (like vRealize Automation), use the respective APIs or orchestration tools.

Since automating a full cluster shutdown involves multiple critical operations, it’s important to ensure that the script or API calls are well-tested and handle all potential edge cases. For the most current information and advanced scripting, consulting VMware’s latest PowerCLI documentation and vSphere API Reference is recommended. Additionally, if you have specific requirements or need to handle complex scenarios, consider reaching out to VMware support or a VMware-certified professional.