Startup Delay and Timing Configuration

Overview

Startup delay controls the timing between VM boots, storage availability, and network configuration. Proper timing prevents boot failures during host startup.

Configure Startup Delay

Between VMs

# File: /etc/pve/datacenter.conf
# Set delay between VM startups (seconds)
pvesh put /cluster/options --startup-delay 30
 
# View current setting
pvesh get /cluster/options | grep startup

Per VM Delay

# Additional delay for specific VM
qm set 100 --startup-delay 30

Storage Wait Time

Wait for Storage

# Wait for storage to be available
pvesh put /cluster/options --storage-start-delay 10

Network Delay

Wait for Network

# Network startup timeout
# File: /etc/systemd/network/50-default.network
[Network]
DHCP=ipv4
 
[DHCP]
RouteMetric=100

Boot Timeout

VM Shutdown Timeout

# Time to wait for graceful shutdown
qm set 100 --shutdown-timeout 180
 
# Default: 180 seconds

Timing Examples

Fast Boot

# Minimal delays
qm set 100 --startup-delay 0
pvesh put /cluster/options --startup-delay 5
 
# Total boot time: ~10 seconds per VM

Reliable Boot

# Extended delays
qm set 100 --startup-delay 30
pvesh put /cluster/options --startup-delay 30
 
# For:
# - Slow storage
# - Network boot
# - Hardware issues

Troubleshooting Timing

VM Starts Before Storage

# Increase storage wait
pvesh put /cluster/options --storage-start-delay 20

Network Not Ready

# Check network
networkctl
 
# Enable wait for network
systemctl enable systemd-networkd-wait-online

Related Articles

• Auto-Start
• Storage-Configuration
• Network-Config

---

Back to Proxmox VE