Boot Delay Configuration Guide
Overview
Boot delay adds a pause before VM startup, ensuring dependencies are ready. Critical for VMs that depend on storage, network, or other services.
Configure Boot Delay
Per VM Delay
# Add 30 second delay
qm set 100 --startup-delay 30
# No delay
qm set 100 --startup-delay 0Global Delay Setting
# Set in datacenter.conf
pvesh put /cluster/options --startup-delay 10When to Use Boot Delays
Storage Dependencies
# NFS storage VMs
qm set 100 --startup-delay 10
# Wait for NFS mount
# Make sure: /etc/pve/firewall/cluster.fw has rules for NFSNetwork Dependencies
# VMs needing network services
qm set 100 --startup-delay 20
# Wait for:
# - DHCP server
# - DNS
# - Active DirectoryApplication Dependencies
# Web app depends on database
qm set 101 --startup-delay 30 # Database first
qm set 102 --startup-delay 40 # Web app afterCalculate Delay
Safe Formula
VM delay = (previous_VM_number * 10) + base_delay
Example:
VM 100: delay 0
VM 101: delay 10
VM 102: delay 20
Test Boot Delays
Monitor Startup
# Watch logs
journalctl -u pve-guest-manager -f
# Check VM status
qm status 100