cd C:\Program Files\VMware\vCenter Server\bin licensesvc --list licensesvc --add --key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX licensesvc --remove --key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX This tool is in VCSA and is considered legacy. 4. PowerCLI: The Recommended Remote Command-Line Approach While direct appliance shell is useful for emergency troubleshooting, VMware PowerCLI (PowerShell module) is the gold standard for scripting and automation. Install PowerCLI (if not installed) Install-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI -Scope CurrentUser Connect to vCenter Connect-VIServer -Server vcenter.example.com -User administrator@vsphere.local -Password 'YourPassword' List All License Keys Get-LicenseDataManager | Get-License Add a License Key $licenseKey = "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" New-License -LicenseKey $licenseKey -Name "Production Cluster License" Assign a License to an ESXi Host $hostObj = Get-VMHost -Name "esxi01.example.com" $license = Get-License -Key "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Set-VMHost -VMHost $hostObj -LicenseKey $license.Key Assign a License to vCenter Server Itself Set-License -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" -Entity (Get-LicenseDataManager) Remove an Unused License Key $license = Get-License -Key "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Remove-License -License $license -Confirm:$false Get Detailed License Usage Report Get-VMHost | Select Name, LicenseKey, @N="LicenseName";E=(Get-License -Key $_.LicenseKey).Name 5. Practical Workflows and Examples Workflow 1: Automating License Deployment for a New Cluster $clusterName = "Prod-Cluster" $licenseKey = "AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE" Add license to vCenter New-License -LicenseKey $licenseKey -Name $clusterName Get all hosts in cluster $hosts = Get-Cluster -Name $clusterName | Get-VMHost Assign license to each host foreach ($hostObj in $hosts) Set-VMHost -VMHost $hostObj -LicenseKey $licenseKey -Confirm:$false Write-Host "Assigned $licenseKey to $($hostObj.Name)"
# Get the host's moref (e.g., ha-host, domain-c1234) vim-cmd vimsvc/auth/luid vim-cmd vimsvc/license --assign <license-key> <moref> vcenter license key command line
First, get the host’s (MoRef):
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --assign 12345-67890-abcde-fghij-klmno domain-c1234 /usr/lib/vmware-vcenter-license-service/scripts/license.py usage This shows how many CPU licenses are used by which hosts. B. Legacy ESXi Commands (via vCenter Shell) Even from vCenter's bash, you can execute commands that target ESXi hosts through the vCenter's proxy. However, direct ESXi licensing commands are now discouraged in favor of the license service. View Host's Current License Connect to the host's shell or use vim-cmd from vCenter: Legacy ESXi Commands (via vCenter Shell) Even from
$licenses = Get-License $today = Get-Date $warningDays = 30 foreach ($lic in $licenses) if ($lic.ExpirationDate -and $lic.ExpirationDate -ne [DateTime]::MaxValue) $daysLeft = ($lic.ExpirationDate - $today).Days if ($daysLeft -le $warningDays -and $daysLeft -ge 0) Write-Warning "License $($lic.Key) expires in $daysLeft days on $($lic.ExpirationDate)" elseif ($daysLeft -lt 0) Write-Error "License $($lic.Key) expired on $($lic.ExpirationDate)" vcenter license key command line
/usr/lib/vmware-vcenter-license-service/scripts/license.py add --key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX --name "Prod Cluster License" First, find the license ID (not the key string) by listing with the --show-id flag:
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