6.5.1

Recording the License Key of an ESXi Host
If a host becomes inaccessible or unbootable, you should have a record of its license key. You can write
down the license key and tape it to the server, or put the license key in a secure location. You can access
the license key from the direct console user interface or the vSphere Web Client.
View the License Keys of ESXi Hosts from the vSphere Web Client
You can view the license keys of the hosts that are connected to a vCenter Server system through the
vSphere Web Client.
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Web Client, select Administration.
2 Under Licensing, select Licenses.
3 On the Assets tab, select Hosts.
4 In the License column, click a license.
You view information about the license, such as its usage and license key.
Access the ESXi License Key from the Direct Console
If you have physical access to the host or remote access to the direct console, you can use the direct
console to access the ESXi license key.
Procedure
u
From the direct console, select View Support Information.
The license key appears in the form XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX, labeled License Serial
Number.
Note The physical machine serial number also appears, labeled Serial Number. Do not confuse the
license key with the physical machine serial number.
View System Logs
System logs provide detailed information about system operational events.
Procedure
1 From the direct console, select View System Logs.
2 Press a corresponding number key to view a log.
vCenter Server Agent (vpxa) logs appear if you add the host to vCenter Server.
3 Press Enter or the spacebar to scroll through the messages.
vSphere Installation and Setup
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