Installation guide

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The host sdX devices might be renumbered after the upgrade. If necessary, update any scripts that
reference sdX devices.
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After the upgrade, you must convert LUN masking to the claim rule format. Run the esxcli corestorage
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. See the vSphere Command-Line Interface Reference.
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Upgrade virtual machines on the host. See Chapter 7, “Upgrading Virtual Machines,” on page 141.
About ESXi Evaluation and Licensed Modes
After you purchase a host license, VMware provides a serial number that you can use to license vSphere. You
can use evaluation mode to access the full ESXi feature set, including features you have not purchased a license
for.
For example, in evaluation mode, you can use vMotion, HA, DRS, and other features, even if you have not
licensed those features.
The installable version of ESXi is always installed in evaluation mode. ESXi Embedded is preinstalled on an
internal USB 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, even if you start in licensed mode
rather than evaluation mode. Any time during the 60-day evaluation period, you can convert from licensed
mode to evaluation mode. To take full advantage of the 60-day evaluation period, you should convert to
evaluation mode as soon as possible after you first power on the host. See “Convert an ESXi Host to Evaluation
Mode,” on page 139.
For information about licensing the host, see the vCenter Server and Host Management.
Reapplying Licenses After Upgrading to ESXi 5.0
After you upgrade to ESXi 5.0, reapply your host license.
After upgrading, your ESXi 5.0 software returns to evaluation mode until you reapply your license. If you used
part of the 60-day evaluation period before upgrading, the time remaining in your evaluation period is
decreased by the amount already used. For example, if you used 20 days of the evaluation period before
upgrading, your remaining evaluation period after the upgrade is 40 days. See “About ESXi Evaluation and
Licensed Modes,” on page 139.
You can apply your license using the vSphere Client and vCenter Server. See the vCenter Server and Host
Management documentation.
Convert an ESXi Host to Evaluation Mode
You can switch a licensed ESXi host to evaluation mode to explore all the features of ESXi, including features
that you have not licensed.
See “About ESXi Evaluation and Licensed Modes,” on page 139.
Prerequisites
The 60-day evaluation period has not expired.
Procedure
1 From the vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory.
2 Click the Configuration tab.
3 Under Software, click Licensed Features.
4 Click Edit next to ESXi License Type.
Chapter 6 Upgrading and Migrating Your Hosts
VMware, Inc. 139