Assigning vSphere 6.5 license key to evaluation server

[1871royal]

Just wanted to confirm this:

I am currently running vSphere vCenter 5.5 setup with four VMs running on an ESXi 5.5 host. I have a new host server running ESXi 6.5 and vSphere vCenter 6.5 with a 60-day evaluation license. I am using Veeam Backup Replication 9.5 Quick Migration Wizard tool to gradually migrate the four VMs across to the new 6.5 host. I have already migrated one VM successfully.

Under the 5.5 vSphere Web Client Licensing tab, the 'Expires' column states 'Never'. I have valid 6.5 license keys for vCenter Server 6 Essentials and VMware vSphere 6 Essentials to enter on the new 6.5 server, but if I enter the license key, will it affect the status of my 5.5 licenses on the 5.5 server? Can the two run in parallel?

I would like to get the 6.5 licensing done early (I still have 54 days left) as the remaining three VMs are very large and I do not want to run into licensing issues right at the end.

Any help gratefully received.

[RickVerstegen]

Yes, you can enter 6.5 license keys on the new 6.5 server. It will not affect the status of your 5.5 license. They can run in parallel.

Tip: Keep the evaluation mode as long as possible, because you can use and try all features of vSphere.

Rick

[1871royal]

Thanks Rick and I will take advantage of the full evaluation period.

[ashishsingh1508]

Since its essentials, you will loose a few functionality