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Licensing Free ESXi 3.5

Details

How do I license the free edition of ESXi 3.5? 

Solution

When you register to receive the ESXi Free Download, you receive a link to download your license and the software. Find the serial number to activate your license in Licensing Download Information.
 
To install ESXi 3.5, refer to the Getting Started guide and the Setup guide.
  1. After you have your serial number, connect to your ESXi 3.5 host using the Virtual Infrastructure Client.

    Note: You can download the client installer from your ESXi 3.5 host by browsing to http://<hostname or IP address>.

  2. Go to the Configuration tab and look for Licensed Features.


  3. Click Edit for License Source.

  4. In the License Sources window, select Use Serial Number. Enter the serial number and click OK.



  5. Click Edit for ESX Server Edition. See the figure in step 2.

  6. In the ESX Server Edition window, select ESX Server Standalone.
Note: The free serial number can be applied only to ESXi 3.5 Update 2 and later. Serial numbers used from earlier releases of ESXi 3.5 will still be compatible. If the free serial number is used on earlier releases of ESXi 3.5, the following error message might appear, and the host will not be licensed.

There are not enough licenses installed to perform the operation.

See the table below for a compatibility matrix.
 

Version

Serial Number

Result

ESXi 3.5 Update 1 and earlierPurchased Serial NumberSupported
ESXi 3.5 Update 1 and earlierFree Serial NumberNot supported
ESXi 3.5 Update 2 and laterPurchased Serial NumberSupported
ESXi 3.5 Update 2 and laterFree Serial NumberSupported
 

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Actions
  • KB Article: 1006481
  • Updated: Feb 20, 2009
  • Products:
    VMware ESXi
  • Product Versions:
    VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
    VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable