Vcenter License Key Command Line -

/usr/lib/vmware-vdcs-cli/bin/license-cli --operation assign --key "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" --service vc Note: The license-cli tool is powerful but not commonly documented for end-users; PowerCLI is often safer for production. vCLI is the classic command-line suite. Install it on a jump box, then use vicfg-cfgbackup not for licensing directly, but the vmware-cmd equivalents. However, for licensing, the nested license commands are better.

Add-VMLicense -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" : The system will confirm the license key, edition, and capacity. Step 4: Assign a License to a Host, Cluster, or vCenter This is the most critical operation. Assigning a license to a vCenter instance itself is different from assigning to ESXi hosts.

$vcLicense = Get-VMLicense -Key "YYYYY-YYYYY-YYYYY-YYYYY-YYYYY" Set-VC -License $vcLicense First, remove assignments; then delete the key. vcenter license key command line

$cluster = Get-Cluster "Production-Cluster" $license = Get-VMLicense -Key "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Set-Cluster -Cluster $cluster -License $license vCenter requires a separate license (not the same as ESXi keys).

# Full vCenter License Migration Script $vcServer = "vcsa.lab.local" $oldKey = "OLDXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" $newKey = "NEWXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Connect-VIServer -Server $vcServer Add new license Write-Host "Adding new license key: $newKey" $newLicense = Add-VMLicense -LicenseKey $newKey Get all hosts using the old license $hostsOnOldLicense = Get-VMHost | Where-Object $_.LicenseKey -eq $oldKey Reassign each host foreach ($vmhost in $hostsOnOldLicense) Write-Host "Reassigning $($vmhost.Name) to new license" Set-VMHost -VMHost $vmhost -License $newLicense Verification $remainingHosts = Get-VMHost | Where-Object $_.LicenseKey -eq $oldKey if ($remainingHosts.Count -eq 0) Write-Host "No hosts remain on old license. Removing old key." Remove-VMLicense -LicenseKey $oldKey -Confirm:$false else Write-Warning "Some hosts still use the old license." However, for licensing, the nested license commands are

/usr/lib/vmware-vdcs-cli/bin/license-cli --operation add --key "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" The VCSA uses several licensed services (vCenter Standard, vSAN, etc.). To list services:

In the world of virtual infrastructure management, vCenter Server acts as the central nervous system for VMware environments. While the vSphere Client (Web UI) provides a convenient graphical interface for managing licenses, enterprise environments often demand speed, automation, and remote capabilities. This is where the vCenter license key command line becomes indispensable. Assigning a license to a vCenter instance itself

Disconnect-VIServer -Server $vcServer -Confirm:$false Mastering the vCenter license key command line transforms your ability to manage virtualization licenses from a tedious chore into a repeatable, auditable, and automated process. While the vSphere Client is useful for one-off tasks, PowerCLI remains the gold standard for scripting, bulk operations, and integration into CI/CD pipelines.