📣
TiDB Cloud Premium is now in public preview. Unlimited growth, instant elasticity, advanced security for enterprise workloads. Try it out →

Vcenter License Key Command Line ((new)) -

For more detailed status, including edition, expiration date, and the number of licensed and used CPUs, you can use parameters with Get-VCLicense . This is particularly useful for capacity planning and ensuring you have sufficient licenses for your assets.

Mastering command-line license management for vCenter and ESXi is a critical skill for any vSphere administrator moving beyond point-and-click. While the vSphere Client offers a visual interface, CLI methods provide the repeatability, scale, and integration necessary for modern, dynamic infrastructure.

( vim-cmd ): The native command-line interface available directly on an ESXi host, accessible via SSH. It is used to manage elements local to that specific host . This is ideal for managing the license for a standalone ESXi host or for troubleshooting license issues on a single host when vCenter access might be unavailable.

Connect-VIServer -Server ://yourdomain.com -User administrator@vsphere.local -Password YourPassword Use code with caution. View Current Licenses vcenter license key command line

PowerCLI is the most powerful tool for CLI-based license management. It allows you to add keys to the vCenter inventory and then assign them to specific assets like the vCenter Server itself or ESXi hosts. 1. Adding a License Key to the Inventory

The appliance shell must be toggled to allow the BASH environment if you are running advanced scripts. Step-by-Step: Adding a vCenter License Key via CLI

$LicenseManager = Get-View LicenseManager $LicenseManager.AddLicense("XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX", $null) Use code with caution. Step 3: Assign the License to the vCenter Server Instance powershell While the vSphere Client offers a visual interface,

Log in via SSH directly using Method 2 . Use vim-cmd license/set to input a valid commercial key, then run service-control --start --all to revive the blocked web management services. Where are licenses stored locally?

Alternatively, view all licenses available in the vCenter assignment pool: powershell

Get-VMHost "HostName" | Set-VMHost -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Retrieving License Information This is ideal for managing the license for

Connect-VIServer -Server vcenter-ip-or-fqdn -User administrator@vsphere.local -Password "YourPassword" Use code with caution. Step 2: Add the Key to the License Manager powershell

: Use the vcenter_license module or custom scripts to add a new key to the inventory.

AUTH_TOKEN=$(curl -k -s -X POST https://localhost/api/session \ -u 'administrator@vsphere.local:YourPassword') # Extract the token string from the JSON response if necessary Use code with caution. 2. Add and Assign License via API