kgottleib
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

differences in hypervisor downloads

VMware used to have just a single download for the hypervisor that worked with all license models, regardless, and the features were unlocked when the lic was applied.

Now I see VMware has a separate download for each hypervisor per license model.

Question is this:

If I build out free ESXi at DR site using the free hypervisor download, can I license it later with a enterprise plus license without having to download the enterprise plus hypervisor and reinstalling it when it comes time to fail over for DR event?  After all, VMware licenses float.  so if  production goes down, I can float and apply those licenses to the DR site with no worries.

Just want to be certain I don't have to rebuild the hypervisors in the above scenario.  The fact that there is a separate download for each license model is a concern and I'm scratching my head over it..

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skadann
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

It really is the same Hypervisor download, no difference. Download the standard, and apply an enterprise key, it doesn't matter. The checksums should be the same for all ESXi downloads of the same build regardless of license.

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weinstein5
Immortal
Immortal

The bits are still the same - so install the free version and you buy one of the versions you just need to apply the new license key.

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