The DRS automation level defines how DRS will react to cluster resource imbalances and whether it requires little or no manual intervention. DRS can choose to apply the generated migrations/placement recommendations or present them to the administrator to choose from. If there is more than one migration recommendation, then the administrator is provided with a prioritized list of recommendations to choose from. Initial placement refers to the process of choosing an ESXi host from a DRS cluster to power on or resume a VM. DRS generates these recommendations by choosing an ESXi host that has enough resources to run the VM being powered on or resumed.
The following table depicts how migration recommendations and initial placements are dealt with, based on the DRS automation level configured on the cluster:
| Automation level | Virtual machine migrations (vMotion) | Virtual machine initial placement |
| Fully automated |
VMs are automatically migrated. | VM is powered on or resumed on a suitable ESXi host automatically. |
| Partially automated |
Migration recommendations are displayed to the administrator. The administrator has to manually apply one of the migration recommendations. | VM is powered on or resumed on a suitable ESXi host automatically. |
| Manual | Migration recommendations are displayed to the administrator. The administrator has to manually apply one of the migration recommendations. | Initial placement recommendations are displayed to the administrator. The administrator has to manually apply one of the placement recommendations. |