Problems with licensing, Evaluation Mode

[Punkrulz]

Hey guys,

We are presently having a problem with the licensing. This could be as simple as having the wrong license, or misunderstanding what license does what. We do have the VMWare License Tools installed presently, and on the same server we are using VMWare Infrastructure Client. I had thought I installed all of the licenses, however on the top right hand corner we still see XX Days Remaining. I have a license with PROD_VC setup. I have moved the license to C:\Program Files\VMWare\VMWare License Server\License, saved as vmware.lic. I specified the location of the license under VMWare License Tools, have confirmed that the service is running, and that we can get a status of the license. Performing a status enquiry, we get the following:

Vendor daemon status (on vicenter-temp):
VMWARELM: UP v10.8
Feature usage info:
Users of PROD_VC: (Total of 1 license issued; Total of 0 licenses in use)

I then proceed to go into the VMWare Infrastructure Client -> Administration -> VirtualCenter Management Server Configuration. The first area we are in shows a text box that states Evaluation Mode is active. We uncheck that box, and we leave the setting enabled that states we are using the License Services on this server. When I click ok, I get the following error message:

There are not enough licenses installed to perform the operation.

Can someone please help us resolve this?

Thanks!

[philvirt]

Verify that you ESX servers are using the proper license.

If that does not work, I would re-install your license server...

Regards,

Fil

[Punkrulz]

filvirt,

I have already confirmed that the license was correct by running the license verification tool. I am also not really wanting to reinstall the License Server as everything appears to be fine with that, no error messages, everything is being read. I will reinstall if I have to, but I am curious to make sure we're doing everything else correctly.

[Troy_Clavell]

If you open the VMware License Server Tools GUI and go to the Config Services tab, under path to license, is it pointing to where your actual license file is?

You can also try going to the Start/Stop/Reread tab and stop the server, start the server and the reread the licnese file.

hope this helps

[Punkrulz]

Thanks for your post Troy,

I have already gone through and confirmed that the License Service is pointing to the appropriate license file. I also have made it a habit to stop the service while working on the license, then when I am done I start the service, then re-read the license file. The file itself is being read correctly, and it is stating that 0 are being used out of the 1 that we have. I asked my co-worker who setup the system if there was a way to connect directly to the console and specify the license there. He stated you can only view the license status, you would have to set it up using VIClietn anyways, which is what I have been doing.

Also, in case it's a concern, I've already confirmed we are using the server license, not the host... but still, everytime we open the client and try to uncheck Evaluation mode, we get that error message.

[Troy_Clavell]

you are using VC 2.5 correct? If you open up you VC server, and go to the administration button, then choose the licenses tab, what do you see? Also, what do you see if you log into a host directly and go to the configuration tab, and choose licensed features? What does it say is your license source?

Have you tried restarting the VCMS service?

[Punkrulz]

Ok, here's everything I see!

1) We are using VC 2.5.

2) If I open VC Server -> Administration -> Licenses, I see the following:

VirtualCenter License Source: Evaluation
VirtualCenter License Edition: Evaluation

I see a box that allows me to see the 4 blades we have these running, and clicking each shows me what features are installed, which are explained in #3.

3) If I go to a host directly -> Configuration -> Licensed Features, I see the following:

For All:
Licensed Features
Host License File: Installed
ESX Server Edition
ESX Server Standard: Licensed for 2 CPUs
NAS Usage
iSCSI Usage
Up to 4-way virtual SMP
SAN Usage
Addons
VMWare Consolidated Backup: Licensed for 2 CPUs
VirtualCenter Agent for ESX Server: Unlicensed Use
VMotion: Not Used
VMWare DRS: Not Used
VMWare HA: Not Used

4) I have not attempted to restart the VCMS Service as of yet, that would be attempted on the box that hosts the license manager yes?

[Troy_Clavell]

Ok, here's everything I see!

1) We are using VC 2.5.

2) If I open VC Server -> Administration -> Licenses, I see the following:

bq. VirtualCenter License Source: Evaluation
VirtualCenter License Edition: Evaluation

bq. I see a box that allows me to see the 4 blades we have these running, and clicking each shows me what features are installed, which are explained in #3.

3) If I go to a host directly -> Configuration -> Licensed Features, I see the following:

bq. For All:
Licensed Features
Host License File: Installed
ESX Server Edition
ESX Server Standard: Licensed for 2 CPUs
NAS Usage
iSCSI Usage
Up to 4-way virtual SMP
SAN Usage
Addons
VMWare Consolidated Backup: Licensed for 2 CPUs
VirtualCenter Agent for ESX Server: Unlicensed Use
VMotion: Not Used
VMWare DRS: Not Used
VMWare HA: Not Used

4) I have not attempted to restart the VCMS Service as of yet, that would be attempted on the box that hosts the license manager yes?

One thing I did notice is that your hosts are licensed via host based licensing. Do you see anything under License Sources that says's License Server? This is where you to add your license server info into. I'll assume if you are running VC 2.5, that you have the license server installed on the VCMS. I am also assuming, because I've never used an eval version of 2.5/35, just production, that the eval version licenses they same way as production.

Try pointing your hosts to your license server via FQDN or IP, that may fix the problem.

[Punkrulz]

Thanks Troy, it was initially requested of me to install each host license, it was the first way that I had found to do it. While I see how I could point each host to the license server, one thing that I don't know how to do is how would I put each blade's individual license onto that server as well so they would know what to use?

[Troy_Clavell]

with the evaluation license, didn't VMware provide you with a sigle license file? That file should be on the license server and your hosts should point to that.

Maybe you can get VMware on the phone and they may be able to get it all straightened out for you

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Your post has been moved to the VirtualCenter 2.x forum

Dave Mishchenko

VMware Communities User Moderator