can a trial vsphere install be "downgraded" into a free "vshpere hypervisor" version?

[eos11]

The sysadmin who installed vsphere installed the wrong version. He was supposed to install vsphere hypervisor, which is free, but he instlead insalled the 60 trial.

We have setup a bunch of vms and virtual switches, which would take some time to re-create.

Is there anyway to revert the trial license to the free one, or do we have to re-format the server, and start from scratch?  Can we keep the volumes with datastores in tact, and reformant the partition with vshpere installed only?  This may save our lives.

we dont have vCenter or the backup modules, so backing up the config/vms is going to be very difficult (although we are experimenting with the vCli, and have produced files which may be a backup).

[mcowger · Accepted solution]

You can keep everything - not even a reboot needed.

Just register on the VMware website for a free key, and apply that key to your host.  You will then no longer be on the trial, and will be on the free version.

[a_p_]

The binary is the same for all editions of ESXi. It's just the license key you apply which locks or unlocks the features. Unless you have configured any advanced features you should be able to enter the free license key without any issues. (Configuration -> Licensed Features)

André

[eos11]

This is great news.

Many thanks for replying.