Licensing ESX Servers

[huka]

Hi Community,

in my VM environment i have a cetralized license server (license server is also vc server). Yesterday i´ve got another esx-server, and purchased and activate the license on vmware.com.if i "install" the new license on my license server, i can´t see it anyhow in VC. it always shows me under licensing "licensed for 2 CPU´s" (but this on server1 and server2). is that ok that way ??? i´ve expected to see "Licensed for 4 CPU´s" on each server when i install the new license ??

Thanks a lot

Regards

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Did you make a new License file that contains both for a total of 4 licenses or just one for a total of 2 licenses. In order for the License server to pick up the change to the license file you will need to either reread the license file or restart the license server. You can put more than one license file in the license directory and it will be picked up as well.

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[runclear]

You can vlidate your "combined" (or any vmware license file) here http://www.vmware.com/checklicense/

Just paste the contents in the open field.....

Once you load the new LIcense in your license server, you will need to stop the license server (then re-read the license, then start up the license server service... this process typically works for me anyway - then load up your VI client, and "refresh" your License view and you should see the new "total"

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www.virtualpimpin.com

[huka]

Hi,

thanks for your quick answers. I have one license file combined that Contains the licenses for 4 CPU´s. if i check the license file content with the mentioned tool, it reports me correctly a license for 4 CPU´s. when i try to stop the license server,a reread of the license isn´t possible, it only succeeds when the license server is started, but anyway, i just see the status "Licensed for 2 CPU´s". Any ideas ???

Thanks

Regards

[runclear]

The host in question is configured to point to your license server correct? .... did you ever install a host based license on this node?

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www.virtualpimpin.com

[huka]

No, i´ve never tried this. I´m not sure if the licensing is correct or not. I see in VC my 2 esx servers. if i look at esx1 --> licensing it reports me "Licensed for 2 CPU´s". if i look at esx2 --> licensing it also reports me "Licensed for 2 CPU´s". Is this so correct or not ??? or do i have to see "Licensed for 4 CPU´s" on both if the license runs correctly ??? I have problems with Cold Migration of my VM´s between the 2 Servers, and i thougt the missing licenses could be the reason ?!?

Thanks

[runclear · Accepted solution]

if they are "Dual Processor" servers, then you are seeing the proper info

Its saying its using 2 Licenses.. which is correct.

Did you enable vmotion? as a licensed feature?

You also have to configure your vmotion network....

Edit: See the attachment.... you can verify each host this way as well...-----

www.virtualpimpin.com

[huka]

Yes they are both dual processor machines, but i thought i have to see all licenses on all servers, isn´t this correct ?!?! No i haven´t licensed Vmotion, but i thought if i migrate the machines "Cold" (when tey´re down), i don´t need vmotion ?!?!

[huka]

Thanks a lot, your attachment makes it clear to me !!! I still have problems with the cold migration, but now i know that licensing is not the cause !!!