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Cluster with VSphere Essentials

  • 1.  Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 04, 2011 07:48 PM

    When I attempt to create a cluster with VSphere Essentials (not Plus) I am offered HA and DRS (They are not greyed out, they are available). Are these trial versions which will become disabled in the future, or are they now included in Essentials?

    My understanding was that they would not be available at all. i.e. they would be greyed out.



  • 2.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 04, 2011 08:48 PM

    Welcome to the VMware Communities forums.  When you install ESX(i) and vCenter you get a 60 day evaluation of Enterprise Plus.  So if you haven't applied a license yet, you'll be able to setup HA / DRS and run it during the trial period.

    If you already have your licensing in place I would guess that it is a difficiency in the client (i.e. the options should be greyed out) but I would think you would get an error try to create the cluster.

    Dave
    VMware Communities User Moderator

    Free ESXi Essentials training / eBook offer

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  • 3.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 04, 2011 10:27 PM

    Thank you for your prompt answer, Dave

    I attach clips of the Client screen. I think this implies that the Essentials licence has been applied and that the HA and DRS options are available and selectable. I took the wizard through to the last screen and they seemed to be accepted. I cancelled it then, in case I found that in 60 days the cluster failed. I guess the best advice is not to try as it would be in breach of the licence. Unless of course, the licence has now been changed to include this as well :smileyhappy:



  • 4.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 04, 2011 11:19 PM

    What license do you have listed for the hosts?  You should have a vSphere Essentials line on the licensing page for those as well.



  • 5.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 05, 2011 07:56 AM

    Yes, as shown attached

    I did split the licence, if that makes any difference



  • 6.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials
    Best Answer

    Posted Jun 05, 2011 01:35 PM

    To view your licensed features:

    1. Open the vSphere Client and connect to your vCenter server
    2. Select a host in your cluster
    3. Click on the Configuration tab
    4. Click on the "Licensed Features" link under Software

    All of the licensed features are presented here. Look for "VMware HA" and "VMware DRS" to see if they are licensed.



  • 7.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 05, 2011 10:50 PM

    Thanks Chris

    No mention of HA or DRS there on my essentials

    I guess the fact that they are not greyed out is just a glich then



  • 8.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 06, 2011 06:52 AM

    Have you tried HA / DRS once you setup the cluster?



  • 9.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 06, 2011 08:10 AM

    No, Dave

    I was nervous in case I applied HA/DRS to find that it expired in 60 days. It seems that I am able to apply them but I guess it would be unlicensed if I succeeded and I really don't want to run into unnecessary problems. I was wondering if anyone else had found them not greyed out, or is this just an anomaly with my setup?



  • 10.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 06, 2011 04:34 PM

    I have worked in a Advanced license configuration, which does not include VMware DRS. The option to enable DRS for the cluster was not greyed out.

    To assist with your problem, I turned on DRS. After the configuration change was made I received a notice that the host could not participate due to licensing (it appeared in the host summary page at the top).

    You don't have to worry about 60 days evaluation of HA / DRS because you've already licensed your hosts. To use the evaluation you would have to change your licensing back to the 60 day evaluation key.



  • 11.  RE: Cluster with VSphere Essentials

    Posted Jun 06, 2011 04:48 PM

    Thanks Chris

    I took the bull by the horns to see what would happen and I got this message

    "The vSphere 4 Essentials license for Host ***************** does not include VMware DRS. Upgrade the license."

    So, as you say, although you can make the selections during the creation of the cluster, it will not allow you to add a host to that cluster if it was created with an Essentials licence.

    Thanks for your help.