how to get esxi 4.1 license to be accepted on newly-reinstalled host (OEM HP Proliant)

[DerekShaw]

I have just spent the day recovering from two failed disks in two arrays on one elderly HP proliant ml350 g5

It looks like this was deployed with HP-installed esxi 3.x (based on the HP packaging where the USB key used to be), and later upgraded to 4.1.  It's a very small install -- the esxi is running stand-alone.

As part of the process of recovering the arrays I (accidentally) erased the usb stick in the box that hosts the esxi install.  So I pulled out the the HP CDs, and instead of the HP-branded esxi 3.x (like on the label of the box), there was a home-burned esxi CD labelled as 4.1 (which matched what was running on the box before the problem arose).  So I installed from the CD, got all the VM's running again, ghettoVCB (re-)scheduled via crontab and then went to apply the license.

The branded HP box has a certificate (with barcode) showing I have "permission to use" esxi, but no key.  The 4.1 key that I have used elsewhere is not accepted in the "Assign License" dialogue.

So - where do I go to fix this?  Do I need a key from HP? if so, what do I ask for?  My experience of dealing with HP for something like this are less favourable than dealing with the electrical-power monopoly, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[abhilashhb]

So do you have a license key with you now?

Do you need help on how/where to assign it?

[Linjo]

You probably have a HP PAC-key, that needs to be exchanged for a valid VMware License key.

Contact HP or VMware, they are the only ones that can help with this.

[DerekShaw · Accepted solution]

this HP link

HP Integrated VMware ESXi 4.0 and Updates Getting Started Guide 190KB

...Upgrading to a full license (on page 7...virtualization software such as ESXi. Hosts provide processor...solution without the need for separate external...the correct function key when prompted to...

Last Update: Apr 15, 2010

(a.k.a. http://tinyurl.com/ma9m7kz) is a pdf that leads me to the vmware site, which, when I Log in, shows me my esxi 4.1 license key -- which is not accepted by the "Assign License" process.

So in desperation I decided to type it again, after a good night's sleep, and PRESTO, it worked.

Which is weird, 'cause yesterday I was cutting and pasting it from the website - and pasting it into notepad first to strip out any stray/unacceptable characters, and had somebody read it back to me.

Thanks for the help!