Question regarding evaluation license of ESX 3.5

[steeeeeveee]

Probably the question has been asked 1 million time but I can not find any forum entry 100% answering my questions, so I as here.

I registred for an evaluation license of ESX 3.5. As soon as I did that I got a mail from VMware with the information where to download ESX 3.5 and some other additional applications. The mail told me to press a button in order to get the evaluation license activated. It mentioned something about expiring. Now my question:

Regarding the expiring: What is expiring?

1. The download link?

2. The downloaded applications?

Regarding the evaluation period:

1. How long is the evaluation period?

2. How is the evaluation calculated?

1. x days after installing the VMware ESX 3.5 will expire?

2. The downloaded application is already hard coded to expire on a certain date?

3. What about an evaluation serial? Is that not needed? (I did not got one or I overlooked it. Do I need one? If so, where to get one?)

All the other questions I had where responded by searching the forum and reading the posts and responses of other users.

// Steve

[weinstein5]

Welcome to the forums - In regards the expiring I believe the download link will remain active until a new version of the software comes out - the ISO/TAR images you download will remain valid if is how you license the software that will determine whether it is an evaluation license or not -

In regards to the evaluation period - the evaluation period is for 60 days and starts the day that you initiate the evaluation license - there is no need for an evaluation serial number it is built in as one of the licensing methods along with host based and server based -

If you found this answer or other answers helpful please award points by marking the answer correct or helpful -

[steeeeeveee]

Welcome to the forums - In regards the expiring I believe the download link will remain active until a new version of the software comes out - the ISO/TAR images you download will remain valid if is how you license the software that will determine whether it is an evaluation license or not -

Thank you for clarifying this to me.

In regards to the evaluation period - the evaluation period is for 60 days and starts the day that you initiate the evaluation license -

Okay. Then allow me to ask: When do I initiate the evaluation license? When downloading the ISO/TAR or after I have installed ESX I will get an dialog where I can initiate the evaluation?

Sorry for asking but this part is not clear to me.

there is no need for an evaluation serial number it is built in as one of the licensing methods along with host based and server based -

Where can I read about the two different licensing methods?

[weinstein5 · Accepted solution]

The evaluation period starts after you install the software and initiate the evaluation period - for more information on the other two licensing methods check out page 18 of the quickstart guide - - also if you have not found this yet here is a repository of PDF developed by VMware to help get started with your jump into virtualization -

[azn2kew]

Long story short, download the .iso burn to CD boot it up and install through the wizard. Install VI client and login to ESX host and click on "configuration" and "license features" and than click on "evaluation" mode and once you have your real license just install a license server component with .lic file attach to it and re-read than it should be live production no expiration.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[steeeeeveee]

The evaluation period starts after you install the software and initiate the evaluation period - for more information on the other two licensing methods check out page 18 of the quickstart guide - - also if you have not found this yet here is a repository of PDF developed by VMware to help get started with your jump into virtualization -

Aha! Okay. So after installing and running for the first time the evaluation period get's initialized. Thanks.

[steeeeeveee]

Long story short, download the .iso burn to CD boot it up and install through the wizard. Install VI client and login to ESX host and click on "configuration" and "license features" and than click on "evaluation" mode and once you have your real license just install a license server component with .lic file attach to it and re-read than it should be live production no expiration.

Thank you Stefan for answering. This was exactly what I was looking for.