Managing free ESXi with VirtualCenter server?

[sfresher]

I am aware of that free ESXi does not inlude VirtualCenter Agent, so theoretically it cannot be mananged by VirtualCenter server.

However, using the free ESXi key, I am still able to manage it through VC. I am using the evaluation version of the VC server though.

So is this reallly allowed to manage the free ESXi with VC server?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

In this case it is VirtualCenter that is providing the VC agent license and this will stop working when the eval for VC ends after 60 days. In the mode you have it right now, ESXi will be able to provide the functionality that you would get with a VI Enterprise license.

[sfresher]

So what if I purchase a licensed VC server? Am I still able to manage the free ESXi with it?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

You would need to have both a VirtualCenter license and at least a VI Foundation license. The VI Foundation license provides the VC agent license. If you've just thinking for a few hosts, the VMware has the VirtualCenter Foundation bundle with is VC Foundation and 3 VI Foundation licenses (for $3000). VC Foundation is limited to managing three ESX / ESXi hosts, but you can upgrade it to the full verson later on.

[nlorvick]

So then if I have a VC Enterprise license and a server already deployed, I'd still have to buy the VC Agent license for ESXi?

[Jasemccarty]

That is correct.

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

[VMotional]

We are in the same boat in terms of having a VI3 Enterprise infrastructure, but wanting to add some dev ESXi (free version) instances and possibly to be managed with the existing VC in order to, at least, get the Clone and Clone to Template capabilities.

From what I get from this thread, all we need to do is buy the VirtualCenter Agent license (which, btw, is ~$70 for 2 proc from DELL)... ...but how does that exactly get installed then?

Would we then generate a new license key to be installed on the VirtualCenter Management Server? Then change the free ESXi Host License Source from Use Serial Number to Use License Server? Has anyone actually gone through this process successfully?

Thanks!

[stvkpln]

The quick and dirty answer is that the VC Agent license is allocated from your licensing source once the host is added. You wouldn't need to point the licensing your licensing host, unless you wanted the ESXi host to pull it's ESX license from there. As for how to add them, you could either re-generate your entire license, or you could just take the VC Agent addon license file that you'd generate and add it in as a second license file on the licensing server, then restart the service. Those licenses should then be available.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

You might want to double check with Dell on what they're selling you as the VC agent has to be purchase as part of a VI Foundation / Standard or Enterprise license. From my understanding you can't get it as a standalone option.

From the pricing guide

VMware ESXi includes VMFS and Virtual SMP. As a Virtual Center agent is required to manage any VMware EXSi host, managing VMware ESXi hosts with VirtualCenter Server requires a purchase of VMware Infrastructure 3 Foundation, Standard or Enterprise.

What ever licensing you get, you would generate a license server license file and then add it to the licensing service on your VC host. Then you'd point the ESXi hosts to the VC license server.

[esteban2800VBOX]

I this an old thread. However, since you guys are talking about vCenter. I have ESX 4 server and I would like to try vCenter for free. Where can I get a trial version?

[asatoran]

I this an old thread. However, since you guys are talking about vCenter. I have ESX 4 server and I would like to try vCenter for free. Where can I get a trial version?

http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/, click on Download Free Trial. You will have to register with "corporate" email address, and not a "free" email address. (i.e.: no hotmail or yahoo mail addresses.)