Knowledge Base
ESX 3.x Server and vCenter 2.x Editions
Purpose
Resolution
ESX Server 3 Editions
Depending on the edition of VMware Infrastructure software you purchased, you might be entitled to different ESX Server 3 licence types. A few editions include limited access to the feature set of ESX Server 3. Certain standard functionality is available only with an optional add‐on license, at additional cost. Other editions include full access to the full feature set of ESX Server 3. For more information on the ESX 3 editions, see VMware Products in VI3.5 Foundation, Standard and Enterprise Editions (1003296) .
The evaluation mode uses the "top-of-the-line" ESX Enterprise edition and thus offers all the features for trial. If you purchase Foundation or Standard edition, some functionality is missing .
The evaluation mode uses the "top-of-the-line" ESX Enterprise edition and thus offers all the features for trial. If you purchase Foundation or Standard edition, some functionality is missing .
Note: Licenses from previous releases of ESX Server work with ESX Server 3.5. However, licensing capabilities added to ESX Server 3.5 editions, like VMware Consolidated Backup, are not supported with previous editions of ESX Server. Therefore, software needs to be upgraded to version 3.5 for the license to activate this feature.
For more information, see Changes in licensing for VI3 Standard Edition when upgrading to VI3.5 (1003301).
For more information, see Changes in licensing for VI3 Standard Edition when upgrading to VI3.5 (1003301).
VirtualCenter Server Editions
At least one instance of a VirtualCenter license is required for VI Foundation, VI Standard, and VI Enterprise editions. The following VirtualCenter editions are available:
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VirtualCenter Foundation – This edition lets you manage up to three ESX Server hosts. If you need to manage more than three hosts, upgrade to VirtualCenter edition.
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VirtualCenter – This is an enterprise level edition that lets you manage up to the system maximum number of hosts.
You can convert VirtualCenter Foundation edition to VirtualCenter edition by adding an appropriate license file and switching the editions. The software does not need to be re‐installed.
To change the VirtualCenter edition:
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From VirtualCenter, select Administration > VirtualCenter Management Server Configuration.
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Click on the down-arrow key to select the correct VirtualCenter Edition.
Two types of FLEXnet licensing are available: Single‐host and Centralized. For VirtualCenter, all licenses must be Centralized.
For more information on how to activate licenses correctly and obtain a license file, see Creating a Single Host and Centralized License file on the licensing portal (1005132) .
Additional Information
For additional information or if the issue persists, please see Not enough licenses installed (1005265) or Cannot connect ESX server to VirtualCenter (1005562).
Request a Product Feature
To request a new product feature or to provide feedback on a VMware product, please visit the Request a Product Feature page.
