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  • 1.  Combining vCenter License Keys

    Posted Oct 19, 2017 07:03 AM

    Hello,

    I have two vCenter Server 6 Essential Licenses (three Hosts, six CPUs each) and two vCenter Servers (one Windows, one vCSA 6.5) using these Licenses. The Hosts all do have their vSphere 6 Licenses installed.

    I want to get rid of the windows machine and manage all six Hosts with the new vCSA.

    a) Is it possible to combine the two vCenter Licenses so that I will have one License with twelve CPUs and six Hosts and manage all Hosts with the new vCSA? Are there any Limitations?

    b) Can I combine another vCenter Server 6 Essential License afterwards, so that I will have 18 CPUs and nine Hosts?

    Regards, Daniel



  • 2.  RE: Combining vCenter License Keys

    Posted Oct 19, 2017 07:18 AM

    How to combine license keys in My VMware (2006973) | VMware KB

    • You can combine license keys that are in the same folder to create a single key in the same folder.
    • You cannot combine license keys of different editions or for different products, and you cannot combine license keys that are in different folders.
    • Super Users, Procurement Contacts, and users with the Divide & Combine License Keys permissions can combine license keys.

    Is this what you are looking for?

    Thanks

    Simon



  • 3.  RE: Combining vCenter License Keys

    Posted Oct 19, 2017 07:35 AM

    Thanks Simon, kind of what I'm looking for.

    I have the two vCenter Server 6 Essentials Licenses in one folder. SO technically it should be possible

    The crucial point is if the number of hosts and CPUs doubles if the licenses get combined so that I can use my hosts with a single vCenter



  • 4.  RE: Combining vCenter License Keys

    Posted Jul 08, 2020 08:17 PM

    Hello fwgev!

    Did the combination of the two VCenter license keys work to use only 1 key on a single VCenter server?



  • 5.  RE: Combining vCenter License Keys

    Posted Jul 08, 2020 10:59 PM

    Please check this post to see what might be possible given your current vCenter Server licenses.

    vCenter Server Licensing Options - VMware vSphere Blog



  • 6.  RE: Combining vCenter License Keys

    Posted Jul 09, 2020 04:28 AM

    Did the combination of the two VCenter license keys work to use only 1 key on a single VCenter server?

    Yes and No because your write this questions but i think your intention was something different i think.  Getting one Key which contains several Instances of vCenter is possible because IIRC my NFRs showing that for our vCenter Std.  But with that you doesnt overcome the limitations of the edition.

    1. vCenter Essentials = Max. 3 Hosts ESXi Essentials

    2. vCenter Foundation = Max. 4 Hosts ESXi Std/E+

    3. vCenter Standard = Unlimited Hosts ESXi Std/E+

    As you see the differential in the Edition are "only" the number of managed hosts rather than "features". Its not possible to work around this limitation rather than upgrade to the right edition.

    Regards,
    Joerg