VMware

This Question is Answered

1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 1 "helpful" answer available (6 pts)
13 Replies Last post: Jul 4, 2009 5:12 PM by java_cat33  

Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 posted: Jul 2, 2009 5:27 PM

Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
All,
i have 4hosts currently running ESX3.5.2 and a VI3.5.4 Server running VI,Licensing, etc.

When i change the details in the esx hosts to the new licensing server it reverts back to Unlicensed.
Now i have failed back to the old vi3 and licensing server it has the same behaviour.

In the images attached you can clearly see that vmware licensing server is handing out some of the licenses however the esx hosts don't seem to be registering them. I have restarted the mgmt-vmware service to see if that will kick start the update however i am reluctant to reboot the servers as any VM's will be unable to start again.

I have reread the license file in the licensing tool, rebuilt the licensing server also but this seem to be a host issue maybe across the 4 hosts simultaniously :-(

any ideas?

Attachments:
Tags: esx3.5, licensing

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

1. Jul 2, 2009 5:35 PM in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master
java_cat33
1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

I'd give the VirtualCenter a reboot first and try again - has this been done?

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

2. Jul 2, 2009 5:37 PM in response to: java_cat33
Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
Yes i have rebooted the VC numerous time.
i am half way through rebuilding a 2.5.2 VC also to check

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

3. Jul 2, 2009 5:45 PM in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master
java_cat33
1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

I haven't got access to a vCenter at present for exact instructions - but within the configuration options of vCenter there is an option for ESX licensing - is it configured to license the ESX hosts with the same license server as vCenter? Is it looking at the correct license server?

Also try restarting the vCenter agents on the ESX hosts

service vmware-vpxa restart

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

4. Jul 2, 2009 5:51 PM in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master
java_cat33
1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007
Can the ESX host's resolve the name of the license server? Make sure DNS is ok.

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

5. Jul 2, 2009 5:54 PM in response to: java_cat33
Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
just reset the vc server.
confirmed IP for hostname of LC in VC
confirmed IP for hostname of LC in Hosts

DNS is ok, also have manually built a hosts file for confirmation.

restarted vmware-vpxa also

no joy

thanks for your assistance and ideas :-)

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

7. Jul 2, 2009 6:02 PM in response to: java_cat33
Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
yup, half way though it again .... seems maybe 20% appropriate but i'll take anything atm :-)

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

9. Jul 2, 2009 6:34 PM in response to: java_cat33
Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
still no joy.

might be time to investigate v4

thanks for the info and help

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

10. Jul 2, 2009 6:50 PM in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master
java_cat33
1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

No problems - it must be something that has been missed...

Checked this?

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1005623


Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

11. Jul 2, 2009 7:25 PM in response to: java_cat33
Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
I can change the VC to eval however when i do it to the hosts it errors out to "Unable to change license state as the license server is not available"

communications are still 100% including DNS etc.

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

12. Jul 3, 2009 6:44 PM in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view GJGGreen's profile Novice
GJGGreen
8 posts since
Jun 22, 2007
I think there may be issues on the ESX end, i built a new 3.5.2,3.5.3 and 3.5.4 hosts and tried connecting to the VC2.5.4. the 3.5.3 and 3.5.4 connected fine though the 3.5.2 wouldn't grab the licenses...

Have just ordered vSphere so hopefully next week i can begin a new and migrate across....not quite what i was expecting to do for such a simple task but shoganai, you get that.

thanks for your help.

will do a dump of support files and send into support anyway.

Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

13. Jul 4, 2009 5:12 PM in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master
java_cat33
1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

To be honest - the last time I saw an issue almost identical to this about 18 months ago with a customer, the fix was to upgrade vCenter to 2.5, install a new license server and rebuild the ESX hosts from 3.0 to ESX 3.5 Update 1 (the latest version at the time). Everything else I tried failed - including the assistance of VMware support.

If the 3.5.2 don't get the license - rebuild them with 3.5.4 - will save you some time.

Actions

VMware Developer

SDKs, APIs, Videos, Learn and much more in the Developer community.

Learn More

Developer Sample Code

Increase your developer productivity with VMware API sample code.

Learn More

VMworld Sessions & Labs

Online access to the latest VMworld Sessions & Labs and online services.

Learn more

Purchase PSO Credits Online

Purchase credits to redeem training and consulting services online.

Buy Now

Community Hardware Software

View reported configurations or report your own.

Learn More

VMware vSphere

Come witness the next giant leap in virtualization.

Register Today

Communities