Can vCenter Server 6.5 Essentials manage a vSphere 6.5 Enterprise Plus Host?

[michael2]

I have a temporary need to add an ESX 6.5 host licensed with Enterprise plus to a VMware 6.5 Essentials vCenter server.  Is this possible?

[daphnissov]

No, it's not possible. vCenter will not permit you to do that.

[IRIX201110141 · Accepted solution]

Not possible.  In the same way a ESXi Essentials Hosts cant join a vCenter Foundation/Standard.  It is not only against EULA its also technical not possible. This was different in the past.

But... a Essentials Bundle always contains 3x2 CPU  Host licenses so you have to swap the Enterprise Plus against a ESXi Essentials license first. This can be done during runtime with the need of Reboot or downtime of the VMs. You have to remove all Non Essentials Features like HA, DRS, vMotion, FT, vDS and other stuff before you can swap license.

Regards,
Joerg