6.0

The License Key of an ESXi Host is Replaced
The license key that you assigned through a direct connection with the vSphere Client to an ESXi host
changes.
Problem
You use the vSphere Client to connect directly to an ESXi host. You use the Configuration > Licensed
Features > Edit operation to assign a license key to the host. Later, a different license key replaces the license
key you assigned to the host.
Cause
If a vCenter Server system manages an ESXi host, changes made to the host license through direct
connection to the host do not persist, because the license key assigned through vCenter Server overwrites
the changes.
If you use the Configuration > Licensed Features > Edit operation, any license assignment operation that
you perform in vCenter Server overrides the host license configuration.
Solution
If you use vCenter Server to manage the host, use either the Home > Administration > Licensing interface
or the Add Host operation to configure host licensing.
Managing License Keys on vCenter Server
vSphere license management is centralized. You can use the vSphere Client to manage all licenses that are
available in the license inventory of a vCenter Server system.
Access vCenter Server License Keys and Features
You can access the license keys and features available in the vCenter Server license inventory from the
Licensing page in the vSphere Client.
Prerequisites
n
Verify that you have the Global.Licenses privilege.
n
Ensure that the vSphere Client is connected to the vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client, select View > Administration > Licensing.
You can view and manage the license keys available in the vCenter Server inventory from the
Management tab.
2 (Optional) Click Refresh.
3 In the Management tab, select a sorting option for the license information.
Option Description
Product
Displays the available license keys listed by product.
License key
Displays the available license keys listed by license key.
Asset
Displays the available license keys listed by the asset to which they are
assigned: host, vCenter Server, or solution.
Chapter 4 Managing License Keys in the vSphere Client
VMware, Inc. 47