VMware Cloud Community
adrianych
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

How do I remove license from ESXi 5.5.0 ?

Hi, I would need some help and advise as I am unable to remove Per CPU VMware Std license from some of my ESXi.

Basically, I have 18 CPU licenses, mostly are used by Dual CPU servers but I also have 4 units of single CPU machines (approx 9 yrs old).

I have vacated the 4 older servers and is prepared to turn them off permanently.

I cannot seem to remove the licenses so that I can later assign the licenses to other newer machines if required.

I was advised to set to evaluation mode but it has no license key and showed expired.

Please advise.

Reply
0 Kudos
2 Replies
a_p_
Leadership
Leadership

Once the evaluation period has expired, you cannot switch back to it, and remove the assigned license this way.

What I usually do when it comes to replacing hosts is to install the new hosts and leave them running in evaluation mode until the old hosts are removed from the vCenter Server environment. Removing the old hosts from vCenter Server will make the licenses available again (it may take a few minutes though) for assigning them to the new hosts.

In case you have individual ingle CPU license keys for the old hosts, you'll have to combine them in your MyVMware portal in order to be able to assign them to the new dual CPU hosts.

André

Reply
0 Kudos
adrianych
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Actually, I found out the only way was to remove the old servers from vCenter. This will "un-assign" the license(s).

After which I can re-assign the licenses to the new servers.

Then using the viClient to directly login to the ESXi hosts root account then add in the "free" license keys to put into evaluation mode.

After which I power down the old servers.

Reply
0 Kudos