vSphere Essentials

[jof]

Hi,

Licensing query of sorts.

Is it possible with the essentials licensing to have the three hosts split 2 and 1. E.G. - A 2 node cluster in one site and a stand alone host in another site all managed by the vCenter.

I don't see any issue this as i believe the limitation on vCenter is just 3 hosts not how they are allocated. Can anyone clarify this?

Thanks

[weinstein5 · Accepted solution]

You are correct the limitation is that vCenter can only manage a maximum of three hosts - you should be fine with you configuration -

[idle-jam]

yes you're correct

[ewilts]

There appears to be multiple versions of Essentials - the Remote Office Branch edition does not allow you to split the licenses across sites (aka buildings).

The license appears to have been updated in 4.1 so you need to be very, very careful.  http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/esx_esxi41_eula.html

VMware vSphere Essentials and VMware vSphere Essentials Plus (collectively, the “Essentials Kit”)

In addition to the above license terms, You may install and use  VMware ESX, included in the Essential Kit for up to three (3) Servers,  with each Server having up to two (2) Processors.  
   
VMware vSphere Essentials for Retail and Branch Offices and  VMware vSphere Essentials Plus for Retail and Branch Offices  (collectively, the "ROBO Kit")

In addition to the above license terms, You may install and use  VMware ESX, included in the ROBO Kit for up to three (3) Servers per  physical building, with each Server having up to two (2) Processors. The  number of physical buildings with Servers may not exceed the number of  ROBO Kit licenses purchased.