With the latest VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.1.1 release and the VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) 8.0U2b release, VMware by Broadcom has initiated the first step in managing the behavior of these offerings as a single product: a solution license key that will unlock the product features. 

Purpose

• To help customers understand the license keys that they will receive when purchasing VCF and VVF.

• To show customers how to apply the solution license key associated with VCF 5.1.1 and VVF 8.0U2b releases. 

• To assist customers with understanding the version downgrade/upgrade options available

License Keys

Beginning with VCF 5.1.1 and vSphere 8.0U2b, the vSphere license key will serve as the solution license key for VCF and VVF. All component license keys will continue to appear in the Customer Connect/Broadcom Support licensing portal so that brownfield customers are not forced to upgrade. 

VMware Cloud Foundation

When the customer purchases VMware Cloud Foundation, they receive the following license keys in their licensing portal:

When running VCF 5.1.1, all features (with the exception of vSAN) are unlocked by the solution key, including vSphere, NSX Networking, Aria Suite Enterprise, Aria Operations for Networks, HCX, SDDC Manager, vCenter Server, Tanzu Kubernetes Grid and Data Services Manager. vSAN features continue to require the separate vSAN license key.

VMware vSphere Foundation

When the customer purchases VMware vSphere Foundation, they receive the following license keys in their licensing portal:

When running vSphere version 8.0 U2b, all features of vSphere Foundation are unlocked by the solution key, including vSphere, vSAN (100 GiB entitlement per core configured for vSAN), Aria Suite Standard, vCenter Server Standard, and Tanzu Kubernetes Grid.

Previous Versions and Downgrades

If the customer running a VCF version prior to 5.1.1 or a vSphere version prior to 8.0U2b, the customer must downgrade the solution license key. At this point, the license key becomes a vSphere component license key rather than the solution license key, and the customer can apply the individual component license keys to their environment.

The license key downgrade process is a step-by-step process. The customer must downgrade the vSphere license key to version 8 to version 7 to version 6. When the customer is ready to upgrade to VCF 5.1.1 or VVF 8.0U2b, the customer can upgrade the vSphere license key back to being the solution license key using the same path.

Applying the Solution License Key

The customer must use the solution license key and apply it directly to vCenter. The component features retrieve the entitlements from vCenter and have an in-built Evaluation Mode. After assignment to vCenter, the next step is for the customer to apply the solution license key to their ESXi hosts and TKG Supervisor clusters, and then add the VCF/VVF-enabled vCenter to Aria, NSX, & HCX. After the vCenter is successfully added, the Aria, NSX, and HCX feature will automatically entitle themselves with VCF/VVF.

Greenfield/Brownfield Deployment

The application and functionality of the solution license key will be based on whether there is a Greenfield or Brownfield deployment. 

Greenfield Deployment

Brownfield Deployment

Greenfield Deployment

Using the new solution license key delivered by VCF/VVF:

1. Customer receives solution license key in licensing portal.
2. Customer adds the key directly to vCenter.
3. Customer must then manually assign the solution key to the following (this step will be automated in future releases):
   1. vCenter
   2. ESXi hosts
   3. TKG supervisor clusters

(For larger environments, it is suggested to use the Bulk Licensing Option in the vCenter UI)

4. Note - the separate vSAN key must be applied to vSAN Clusters

4. Add the VCF/VVF-enabled vCenter to Aria, NSX, and HCX
   1. Once the vCenter is successfully added, all the above component features will automatically entitle themselves with VCF/VVF

Aria Operations

• The Product runs in Evaluation mode.
• A “Evaluation Mode” warning message appears on the launchpad page.

After applying the solution license key to the vCenter and adding the vCenter as Data Source/Integration in Aria Operations:

• The licensing page gets updated with the solution key showing as “Entitled.”
• The Aria Ops edition gets updated, and the licensing warning message disappears.

Aria Operations for Logs

• The Product runs in Evaluation mode.
• “Evaluation Mode” Warning appears on Aria Logs Launchpad Page

After applying the solution license key to the vCenter and adding the vCenter as Data Source/Integration in Aria Operations for Logs:

• The licensing page gets updated with the solution key showing as “Entitled.”
• The licensing warning message disappears from the Aria Ops for Logs Launchpad page.

Aria Operations for Networks

• AON 6.12.1; The Product runs in Evaluation mode.
• “Evaluation Mode” License warning appears on the launchpad page.

After applying the solution license key to the vCenter and adding the vCenter as Data Source/Integration in Aria Operations for Networks:

• The licensing page gets updated with the solution key showing as “Entitled.”
• The product exits the Evaluation mode and the License warning disappears.

NSX Networking

• Product starts running in Evaluation Mode
• NSX queries for VCF License every hour

Brownfield Deployment

For customers running a VCF version prior to 5.1.1 or a vSphere version prior to 8.0U2b:

1. When a customer purchases VCF or VVF, all component license keys will appear in the licensing portal so that brownfield customers are not forced to upgrade. 
2. The customer receives the solution license key as part of VCF or VVF.
   1. VCF solution key: VMware vSphere 8 Enterprise Plus for VCF (Supports vCenter Server 8.0U2b and above)
   2. VVF solution key: VMware vSphere 8 Enterprise Plus for vSphere Foundation (Supports vCenter Server 8.0U2b and above)
3. For a customer running a VCF version prior to 5.1.1 or a vSphere version prior to 8.0U2b, the customer must downgrade the solution license key. At this point, the license key becomes a vSphere component license key rather than the solution license key, and the customer can apply the individual component license keys to their environment.
4. The license key downgrade process is a step-by-step process. The customer is able to downgrade the vSphere license key to version 7 and then to version 6. When the customer is ready to upgrade to VCF 5.1.1 or VVF 8.0U2b, the customer can upgrade the vSphere license key back to being the solution license key using the same path.