License compatibility

[mkwapisz]

Hi,

I need an advice concerning licenses for my infrastructure. We have a small cluster based on IBM Flex System x240 (not on compatibility list with 7.0) and Essentials Kit Plus 6. I tried to upgrade the cluster to version 7 so I started with VCSA7 installation. With evaluation license there is no problem. But when I applied vCenter Standard license (I have one unused) all hosts have disconnected with a message "The host license edition is not compatible with the vCenter Server license edition". Ok I can understand this licensing model.

I know there will be problems with upgrades of ESXi hosts. They have LSI SCSI controllers, but I can  boot from usb or FibreChannel Storage Array probably. I will check this in a few days.

Is it possible to manage ESXi6 Essentials Plus hosts with vCenter7 Essentials Plus? What is the best upgrade plan of my licenses In that case? Especially if I am not sure I can upgrade hosts to ESXi version 7.

Best regards

[a_p_]

For hosts with "Essentials", or "Essentials Plus" licenses, you need to license the host with a "vCenter Server for Essentials" license.

If your Essentials Plus Kit is still under active subscription, or has been under subscription at the time when vSphere 7 was released, you should be able to update the "vCenter Server for Essentials" license key from version 6 to version 7 in your VMware Customer Connect portal.

André