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13 Replies Last post: Jul 4, 2009 5:12 PM by java_cat33
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Licensing different versions of ESX3.5

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?

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Tags: esx3.5, licensing
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 Jul 2, 2009 5:35 PM
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?
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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

Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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.
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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 :-)
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 Jul 2, 2009 6:01 PM
in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master java_cat33 1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

Have you had a look at this kb?

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=7114568


Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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 :-)
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 Jul 2, 2009 6:05 PM
in response to: GJGGreen
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master java_cat33 1,202 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

Here's another one.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1011085


Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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


Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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.
Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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.

Reply Re: Licensing different versions of ESX3.5 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.

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