esxi license expired

[RKS3N]

Hello,

I just started my host and got connected via vSphere client on Windows.

I immdiately got the prompt that the licence become invalid.

But as far as I understood the license cant become invalid and will be always renewed. Finally I found this post, but nobody changed anything at the BIOS (as far as i know).

Unfortunately I am not even in the position to export the existing VM's and install ESXi again... :-/

Any ideas?

BR

Tim

[MBreidenbach0]

This ESXi host doesn't have a license.

The evaluation license which comes with every fresh installation expired as expected.

You need to buy a license or get a free VMware Hypervisor license and assign it to the host.

[godaba]

we can auto renew the esxi eval.license, using the renew commands.

[a_p_]

As mentioned by MBreidenbach0​, it's not the license which expired, but the evaluation period (60 days).

Best bet is to register for a free Hypervisor license at

https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=free-esxi5

or

https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=free-esxi6

depending on the version you are using, and simply assigning the new license key - which is perpetual - to the host.

For how to do this, see "Licensing a standalone ESXi host" at https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2014295

André

[RKS3N]

Thanks, I appreciate you prompt replies.

The versions are:

• vSphere Client 6.0.0
• ESXi 6.5

According to the ESXi version I found this post: VMware Knowledge Base https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2107538

But I don't have this mentioned section:

Am I on the right track?

[a_p_]

The steps you mentioned are for licensing a host managed by vCenter Server.

To assign the license directly to a host, follow the KB link that I've posted in my previous reply.

André

[RKS3N]

ok,

The mentioned section I have found, but I don't have any clue where I can get a new license from. I mean above is mentioned the evaluation period is over. Is there any chance to renew the evaluation license (I check "My VmWare" account back and forth: I can evaluate ESXi again, I get new iso file for downloading, but have never anything what looks like a kex) or do I have to one now?

Thanks

[RKS3N]

Maybe there is a misunderstanding:

I found KB VMware Knowledge Base , since it is ESXI 6.5.

One year ago:

I had an installer for ESXi 6.0, but it didnt recognize the network adapter. I download the installer for ESXi 6.5 and installed it host A, also one year ago. This host A is still up and running very well.

I used the same USB stick to install on host B in Dec. 2017. This host I gave to friends for testing reasons of the provided VM's.

No I am wondering about the error message in my first post on this host B. As said, host A is still fine.

If I go to MyWMware I don't my download one year ago. Maybe - since I clicked here and there - date is overwritten by a new download and just shows the latest download for each sotware.

There is written: "Not applicable" what mean to me I don't need a licence.

Admittedly, I am confused about the yellow warning box. :-/

But to be honest, I am generally confused by the VMware product name (I know, this is not the best prerequisit :-(  ). You will be not surprised that I am not a professional user :-s

As far as I know.

• ESXi aka Hypervisor aka OS for host ... is the Linux system which runs on the host (in my case installed via USB stick)
• vSphere Client is the Windows application which allows me to get connected to the host and create and maintain VM's comfortable
• I don't know what "vSphere Server" stands for: Is it another name for the host OS or rather similiar to vSphere Client, but ... whatever

Thanks for enlighten me and supporting me!

[a_p_]

You're right, there are a lot of names for products, suites, etc.

ESXi aka Hypervisor aka OS for host ... is the Linux system which runs on the host (in my case installed via USB stick)

VMware named the free ESXi edition "Hypervisor" (which might have been a marketing thing), but all editions use the same code/binaries, and only the license key makes the difference. The OS aka "VMkernel" is actually a proprietary product, which however makes use of Linux drivers etc.

vSphere Client is the Windows application which allows me to get connected to the host and create and maintain VM's comfortable

The Windows client may still work with the version/build you are currently using, but it's EOL, and not supported anymore for ESXi 6.5 Update 1 and later. To manage ESXi hosts, VMware embedded a HTML5 clinet in the code URL: https://<IP-or-hostname>/ui/

I don't know what "vSphere Server" stands for: Is it another name for the host OS or rather similiar to vSphere Client, but ... whatever

In order to use advanced features, and manage multiple hosts, VMware offers vCenter Server. However, it's not a free product, and the hosts need to have a paid license too.

"vSphere" is the name of the suite, i.e. not of an individual product.

Back to your issue. Once you install an ESXi host, it can be used for 60 days for evaluation. To use the host after this period, it's required to assign a license key (free license, or paid license). The license keys for the free "Hypervisor" edition do not show up in My VMware. You can get the key from the links I posted in my first reply.

I guess that you've assigned a license key to Host A at some point in time, which is why it's still active!?

André

[RKS3N]

Thanks for the complex explanation. Now I understand it much better. Couldn't try your approach this weekend, because the Host is elsewhere and I need my friends over there to set up the remote access again.

Thanks so far and I ll let you know how it goes.

[RKS3N]

Hello a.p.,

I don't know what happened.

Above I complained I was always forwarded to download a new evaluation package instead of finding sth. like a key.

When I recently looked in to MyWMware I found the key. Maybe (most likely) I simply payed attention to that particularly line ... simply overlooked it.

This was what I needed. Then it was easy to add this key to the host as mentioned.

Sorry for bothering you all and the misunderstanding.

Cheers