6.0.1

Table Of Contents
Prerequisites
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Verify that all hosts in the cluster have supported CPUs for the EVC mode you want to enable. See
hp://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003212 for a list of supported CPUs.
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Verify that all hosts in the cluster are connected and registered on vCenter Server. The cluster cannot
contain a disconnected host.
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Virtual machines must be in the following power states, depending on whether you raise or lower the
EVC mode.
EVC Mode Virtual Machine Power Action
Raise the EVC mode to a CPU
baseline with more features.
Running virtual machines can remain powered on. New EVC mode features are
not available to the virtual machines until they are powered o and powered back
on again. A full power cycling is required. Rebooting the guest operating system
or suspending and resuming the virtual machine is not sucient.
Lower the EVC mode to a CPU
baseline with fewer features.
Power o virtual machines if they are powered on and running at a higher EVC
Mode than the one you intend to enable.
To verify the EVC mode for virtual machines, see “Determine EVC Modes for Virtual Machines,” on
page 132.
Procedure
1 Select a cluster in the inventory.
2 Click the Manage tab and click .
3 Select VMware EVC and click Edit.
4 Select whether to enable or disable EVC.
Option Description
Disable EVC
The EVC feature is disabled. CPU compatibility is not enforced for the
hosts in this cluster.
Enable EVC for AMD Hosts
The EVC feature is enabled for AMD hosts.
Enable EVC for Intel Hosts
The EVC feature is enabled for Intel hosts.
5 From the VMware EVC Mode drop-down menu, select the baseline CPU feature set that you want to
enable for the cluster.
If you cannot select the EVC Mode, the Compatibility pane displays the reason, and the relevant hosts
for each reason.
6 Click OK.
Determine EVC Modes for Virtual Machines
The EVC mode of a virtual machine denes the CPU features that the virtual machine can access. The
virtual machine's EVC mode is determined when it is powered on in an EVC-enabled cluster.
When a virtual machine is powered on, it determines the EVC mode of the cluster in which it is running. If
the EVC mode of the cluster is subsequently raised, the virtual machine does not change its EVC mode until
it is powered o and powered on again. This means that the virtual machine does not use of any CPU
features exposed by the cluster's new EVC mode until the virtual machine has been powered o and
powered on again.
vCenter Server and Host Management
132 VMware, Inc.