Shutting down or stopping a Nutanix AHV cluster is a rare but essential process for maintenance, hardware relocation, or scheduled downtime. It is crucial to follow the best practice procedure to avoid data loss or system instability.
In this guide, I will guide you through the step-by-step shutdown and startup procedures for a Nutanix Acropolis cluster using Nutanix Prism Web Console and ACLI commands.
Why Shutdown a Nutanix AHV Cluster?
Before initiating the shutdown process, understand the scenarios where shutting down a Nutanix AHV cluster may be required:
- Periodic Maintenance – For software updates, hardware upgrades, or infrastructure changes.
- Hardware Relocation – When moving physical hardware to another data center or location.
- Power Outage Preparation – Before a scheduled power cut to prevent unplanned failures.
- Other Downtime Needs – Any planned downtime for business operations.
Related: How to Shutdown / Stop / Start Nutanix vSphere Cluster
How to Shutdown / Stop a Nutanix AHV Cluster
Step 1: Log into Nutanix Prism via SSH
- Open a web browser and log in to Nutanix Prism.
- Check Data Resiliency Status:
- Ensure the Data Resiliency status is OK.
- If it is NOT OK, wait until it becomes OK or contact Nutanix Support.
Step 2: Pre-Check Cluster Health
- Option 1: Using Nutanix Prism Web Console
- Navigate to Menu > Health > Action > Run NCC checks > All Checks (*) > Run.
- Option 2: Using Nutanix CLI Command
ncc health_checks run_all
Important: If there are critical alerts, you should contact Nutanix Support before proceeding.
Step 3: Shutdown All Guest VMs | Except CVM
Important: Do NOT shut down Nutanix CVMs (Controller VMs) at this step.
Option 1: Using Nutanix Prism Web Console
- Navigate to Prism > Home > VM and select the Guest VM.
- Click on Power Off.
Option 2: Using Nutanix ACLI Command
- SSH into any Nutanix CVM and execute:
acli vm.shutdown * |For soft shutdown|
OR
acli vm.off * |For hard shutdown Not Recommended|
Note: Ensure all guest VMs are powered off before proceeding.
Step 4: Shutdown the Nutanix Cluster
- SSH into any Nutanix CVM and following cluster stop command
cluster stop
Type YES when prompted for confirmation. Wait for about 1 minute for the cluster to stop.
Nutanix Cluster stop successfully.
Step 5: Shutdown Nutanix CVMs
- SSH into each Nutanix CVM one by one and run following command:
sudo cvm_shutdown -P now
- This command properly notifies to the cluster before shutting down the CVM.
Step 6: Shutdown Nutanix AHV Hosts
Option 1: Using IPMI Web Interface
- Open the IPMI Web Console.
- Navigate to Remote Control > Power Control > Power Off Server – Orderly Shutdown.
Option 2: Using SSH Command
- SSH into each Nutanix AHV host and run
shutdown -P now
- Verify that all Nutanix AHV hosts securely are powered off by pinging their IP addresses.
How to Start a Nutanix AHV Cluster
Step 1: Power On Nutanix Hosts
- Option 1: Press the physical power button on each Nutanix node.
- Option 2: Use IPMI Web Console to power on the nodes.
- Wait 10-15 minutes for all Nutanix AHV hosts and CVMs to boot.
Step 2: Start the Nutanix Cluster
- SSH into any Nutanix CVM and run
cluster start
- Verify the cluster status using:
cluster status
Step 3: Power On Guest VMs
Option 1: Using Prism Web Console
- Navigate to Prism > Home > VM and select the Guest VM.
- Click Power On.
Option 2: Using Nutanix ACLI Command
- SSH into any Nutanix CVM and run:
acli vm.on *
- Confirm that all guest VMs are running through Nutanix PRISM console
By following this guide, you can confidently shutdown, stop, and start your Nutanix AHV cluster without issues.
Tips
- Always follow the best practices to prevent service disruptions.
- Ensure the Nutanix cluster health status is OK before proceeding.
- Never power off Nutanix CVMs before shutting down the cluster.
- If any issues arise, contact Nutanix Support for assistance.
Still Need to Discuss
Have any doubts, queries, or questions about shutting down or starting a Nutanix AHV cluster? Feel free to drop your questions in the comment section, and we’ll be happy to assist you!
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This is really very simple to understand each and every step to shutdown and Star Nutanix Cluster, even also mentioned how to shutdown and Start all vms through one command.
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