Specifications

n
On the VMware Web site, log in to your account page to access the license portal. From the license
portal, upgrade your ESXi license. Use the vSphere Web Client to assign the upgraded license key to the
host.
n
The host sdX devices might be renumbered after the upgrade. If necessary, update any scripts that
reference sdX devices.
n
After the upgrade, convert any ESX 3.x-style /adv/Disk/MaskLUNs LUN masks to the claim rule
format. Run the esxcli storage core claimrule convert command in the vSphere Command-Line
Interface (vCLI). This command converts the /adv/Disk/MaskLUNs advanced configuration entry
in /etc/vmware/esx.conf to claim rules with MASK_PATH as the plug-in.
CAUTION This conversion will not work for all input MaskLUNs variations. See the vSphere Command-
Line Interface Reference.
n
Upgrade virtual machines on the host. See Chapter 8, “Upgrading Virtual Machines and VMware
Tools,” on page 215.
About ESXi Evaluation and Licensed Modes
You can use evaluation mode to explore the entire set of features that are available for ESXi hosts. The
evaluation mode provides the set of features equal to a vSphere Enterprise Plus license. Before the
evaluation mode expires, you must assign to your hosts a license that supports all the features currently in
use.
For example, in evaluation mode, you can use vMotion, vSphere HA, vSphere DRS, and other features. If
you want to continue using these features, you must assign a license that supports them.
The installable version of ESXi hosts is always installed in evaluation mode. ESXi Embedded is preinstalled
on an internal storage device by your hardware vendor. It might be in evaluation mode or prelicensed.
The evaluation period is 60 days and begins when you turn on the ESXi host. Any time during the 60-day
evaluation period, you can convert from licensed mode to evaluation mode. The time available in the
evaluation period is decreased by the time already used.
For example, suppose that you use an ESXi host in evaluation mode for 20 days and then assign a vSphere
Standard license key to the host. If you set the host back in evaluation mode, you can explore the entire set
of features that are available for the host for the remaining evaluation period of 40 days.
For information about managing licensing for ESXi hosts, see vCenter Server and Host Management.
Reapplying Licenses After Upgrading to ESXi 5.5
After you upgrade to ESXi 5.5, you might need to reapply your host license.
If you upgrade from ESX/ESXi 4.x, your ESXi 5.5 software returns to the 60-day evaluation mode period
until you reapply your license. See “About ESXi Evaluation and Licensed Modes,” on page 214. If you
upgrade from ESXi 5.0 x or 5.1.x, your existing license applies.
You can apply your license using the vSphere Web Client and vCenter Server. See the vCenter Server and
Host Management documentation. If you use the scripted method to upgrade to ESXi 5.5, you can provide the
license key in the kickstart (ks) file.
vSphere Upgrade
214 VMware, Inc.