VMWare ESXi 3.5 License Issue

[stevenNG]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if someone could possibly help me out with the best course of action here. About 4 months ago I ordered a server from dell with ESXi on it (internal on a USB drive). I just want the basic.. now free.. features of ESXi. However, it came pre-installed with what I guess was an Enterprise License. I have no real clue how to even tell from looking at anything if this is even true. However, since I've been busy and just got back to this project, I have just now learned I can no longer starm my guest OS's. It tells me that I do not have enough licenses. The license that was already entered under "Configuration" was pre-entered from Dell. I registered and got a new one from the website here and have entered it but I have the same problem. Do I need to reinstall from a new image to correct this? Is there any way to just revert back to the basic edition? I do not need all the extra features I guess it provides. I just want to run indepened OS's for the most part.

Thanks

Steven

[SuryaVMware]

Can you post the screenshot of your license configuration and the error message?

Are you managing this ESXi server using a VC server?

-Surya

[stevenNG]

Yes - I can try and take that today. If it's of any help I can try and describe what I recall.

Managing it I am just connecting to it directly over an Ethernet cable to the server (I don't allow remote access) via the VMware Infrastructure Client.

Under the licenses area right under what I think was Evaluation or Trial radial button, I have a spot where you can enter in a license and that's entered in. When you exit this screen it says something about Unlicensed or Not Licensed. I can get a screen shot later today if you still need that.

Steven

[stevenNG]

Hi - Attached is the picture of the Licensing area along with the visible error message related to licensing at the bottom. I just want to use this without any of the advanced options.. just for free. What do I do to make this happen? How can I even tell my trial was "Enterprise"? I do not see this written anywhere.. not overly intuitive it seems.

Btw.. the current license is the one I got from this website last week and is valid. The previous license worked for 90 days or so and came pre-entered from Dell. Both messages and this display/settings have all been the same with either license entered.

[SuryaVMware]

ESX server license is still showing as unlicensed.

Click on the "Edit" option next to ESX server license and you should be presented with the option to enable the ESX standard license atleaset. Once you enable the ESXstandard license you will be able to poweron the VMs on this host.

-Surya

[stevenNG]

Hi Surya,

Do you mean the Edit next to "ESX Server Edition" as seen on the screen or somewhere else? It appears the Edit option next to "ESX Server Edition" is grayed out and cannot be selected. Do I need to do something else to enable the option to modify this or are you referring to another location for this?

[SuryaVMware · Accepted solution]

Ok. I should have noticed that in the first place. Let's try this.

I am not sure if you have enabled ssh on your ESXi. If not try and get the following steps on the server console or the remote access (like DRAC, iLo or what ever you have), after setting the ESX server in the evaluation mode using the VI Client.

login to the ESXi box as root.

Go to /etc/vmware.

Remove license.cfg and vmware.lic files, you can make a backup copy if you want in the first place.

Restart mgmt-vmware service.

Go back to the VI client and enable the ESX server license with the key you have got for the website.

Let me know if this helps.

-Surya

[stevenNG]

I managed to clear it all out and enter in the license back in Evaluation mode. This then enabled me to click Edit next to "ESX Server Edition". However, when I attempt to take it out of unlicensed (only one choice) it tells me "There are not enough licenses installed to perform the operation."

Any idea why this is coming up? I've read this can happen if you're on Update 1 and not Update 2 or higher, but I have not the slightest clue what version I am on here. As you can see from the screen shot I am running what they shipped it with in June or so - 3.5.0, 82664 -- whatever that means? This is not very intuitive in terms of explaining the version unless I am missing something here. Also, are there any restrictions or processors + cores? This is not spelled out or mentioned whatsoever anywhere on the config screens nor is it mentioned on the license page of "my account". I have two quad core processors in this thing.

Am I missing something where this is all very obvious or is this intentionally left vague and confusing? :smileygrin:

Thanks

Steven

Edit: Googling shows me I am on update 1 so I guess I'll burn the update 3 CD and do that -- probably should do that anyway and I'll report back -Thanks

[SuryaVMware]

Did you enter the License key after you have removed the files? or you are running the ESX server in the Evaluation mode?

Use the key once you gotrid of the files. And by the the bad new is you are on update 1. try to set ypu date back to about 6 months of so and see if you can power on the VM. if so, you can upgrade to U3 and get rid of this problem permenently.

-Surya

[stevenNG]

Hi

Thanks I wanted to update that this issue has been resolved. I was able to clear out the licenses and start with a new "Trial" by doing that. However, since I was still on Update 1 I needed to upgrade. I burned the latest update to a CD but it doesn't recognize the SD-card int he internal USB port as a hard disk when the CD boots. I was able to do the VI command line thing and update through the laptop with the .zip file. I just re-create the images that were already on the disk and everything is working fine - no longer in trial mode.

Thanks!

Steven