For environments managing multiple hosts, licensing should be handled globally. Log into the ( https:// /ui ). Click the Menu icon at the top and select Administration . Under the Licensing section, click on Licenses .
Understanding the timeline of VMware's licensing changes is crucial. In February 2024, following its acquisition by Broadcom, VMware announced the end of general availability for the free vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi 7.x and 8.x). This move sparked significant backlash from home lab users and IT professionals who relied on the free edition for testing and development.
The acquisition of VMware by Broadcom has introduced changes to the licensing landscape. For VCF 9.x environments, licensing is now managed through VCF Operations rather than directly through vCenter Server. This centralized licensing approach means that licensing issues in VCF deployments present differently and require different solutions. vmware esxi license key fixed
/usr/lib/vmware/rbd/hostEvaluationPeriodValidator/hostEvaluationPeriodValidator scan -u <vCenter_user@vsphere.local>
Broadcom has streamlined the process. You cannot find the key by simply searching for it; you must log into the official Broadcom Support Portal. The license is delivered primarily through the software download itself. Under the Licensing section, click on Licenses
This tool identifies hosts with evaluation period anomalies and provides remediation guidance.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. This move sparked significant backlash from home lab
Historically, these keys were assigned per CPU socket (up to 32 cores per processor).
To restore functionality, you must replace the expired evaluation license with a retail subscription key or a valid legacy perpetual key. If you are operating a home lab or testing environment, note that the previously popular VMware Horizon/ESXi Free Edition (which provided a free, feature-limited fixed key) has also been discontinued by Broadcom. Navigating to subscription-based tiers or exploring alternative community tools is now required for non-commercial evaluation. Summary for Administrators