vCenter 4.1 Standard managing vSphere Essentials Hosts?

[TallChris]

Hi All,

I'm looking at deploying some remote site vSphere hosts and wondering if I can use the vSphere Essentials licensing and use our central vCenter 4.1 standard server to manage them?

Thanks

Chris.

[a_p_ · Accepted solution]

I think this will not work. Even if it did, you would violate VMware's EULA.

from http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/esx_esxi_eula.html

For these Editions, the server hosts must be managed by the VMware  vCenter Server that is provided with these Editions, and that same  VMware vCenter Server cannot be used to manage other server hosts not  included with these Editions.

André

[TallChris]

Thanks, I guess that pretty much answers my question

[TallChris]

It appears that the exception to this is if an Essentials ROBO starter kit is used which is sold with a minimum of 10 licenses and then vCenter Standard can be used.

[gummett]

Thanks a.p. for the point to the EULA on this - my understanding was also that it shouldn't work, and clearly it's a breach of EULA.  However I have seen that it DOES work on two occasions (vSphere 4.1 and 5.0). Useful as a temporary fix or for migrations perhaps?