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:

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)"

For day-to-day management, combine PowerCLI with scheduled scripts; for emergencies (e.g., web client unresponsive), the VCSA's license.py and vim-cmd tools are your lifeline. vcenter license key command line

/usr/lib/vmware-vcenter-license-service/scripts/license.py list | grep -B2 -A2 "YourPartialKey" Or use PowerCLI to find duplicates. Means the license doesn't have enough free CPUs. Check usage:

Issue: "Unable to connect to license service" On VCSA: /usr/lib/vmware-vcenter-license-service/scripts/license

The most reliable command-line assignment method from VCSA shell is using vcenter-license-service CLI combined with vim-cmd :

vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms # Not for hosts # Better: use PowerCLI, or from vCenter shell: Alternatively, use vim-cmd hostsvc/hostsummary but that requires the host to be added to vCenter. Means the license doesn't have enough free CPUs

tail -f /var/log/vmware/vcenter-license-service/license-service.log Check if already added:

vim-cmd vimsvc/license --list vim-cmd vimsvc/license --remove <moref> This reverts the host to evaluation mode (60 days). C. The Deprecated Windows vCenter Tool: licensesvc If you are still on a Windows-based vCenter (6.x or earlier), you can use: