License Server 27000@xx.xx.xx is unavalable after New Inplace VC Installation

[Roysan]

Hello, I retired an old VirtualCenter v2.0.2 server and installed VirtualCenter v2.5 on a new server. I was checking the alerts and found that the license server is pointing to the old server. I turned on the old server and the error went away. So why didn't the new installation move the license server to the new Virtual Center Server? How do I move the license server from the old server to the new server so I can retired the old server? Why didn't the installati0n move the license server automtically?

[Troy_Clavell]

assuming your vCenter Server is also your license server, did you copy over the .lic file off of your old license server? During the install you would have been asked if you had an existing license server, you should have browsed to the .lic file.

Also, ensure your hosts are pointing the new license source.

Below is a good KB, that you may find useful

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/5850444

[Roysan]

Yes my VC server is also the license server. I think I misunterstood what the Installation was asking. I remember pointing the IP address to the old VC server and was hoping that the installation would take care of the rest. I do not remember browsing to the .lic file. I forgot exactly what the license part of the installation looked like. I'll read your link thanks!

[Troy_Clavell]

check your vCenter Server Services, if you don't have the license server service running, then it didn't get installed. You can install it by browsing the vpx folder of the vCenter .iso and installing the Vmware-licenseserver.exe. Just make sure you have the .lic file and when it asks for a license server, point it to the file.

[Roysan]

Hello Troy, I copied the license folder from the old server to new, there were 3 files, I used vmware.lic. I installed the license server on the new server, picked vmware.lic, then finished the install. I then started VI Client->Administration Button->Licenses tab, and found the the "Virtual License Source:" still says IP address. Its still going to the old address. So I click Inventory->click on one of my 2 ESX servers->Configuration Tab, Licensed Features, changed the IP from my old server to my new server as the "License Source". I did this for both of my servers. I then went back to my Administration->Licenses Tab and found the old IP gone, but "Not Available" at the Virtual License Source. I'm going to shut down the old license server and reboot the new server.

[athlon_crazy]

Take a look on Administration Menu -> Virtual Center Management Configuration & check wtheter your vcms still pointing to the old license server.

System Engineer

Zen Systems Sdn Bhd

Malaysia

www.no-x.org

[kcdcss]

Thanks, that was the last piece of the puzzle, it worked!

[TomHowarth · Accepted solution]

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Tom Howarth VCP / vExpert

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Contributing author for the upcoming book "VMware Virtual Infrastructure Security: Securing ESX and the Virtual Environment”.