VMware VS4-ENT-PL-A Setup Guide - Page 268

vSphere Installation and Setup The evaluation period is 60 days and begins when you turn on the ESXi host, even if you start in licensed mode rather than evaluation mode. Any time during the 60-day evaluation period, you can convert from licensed mode to evaluation mode. To take full advantage of the 60-day evaluation period, you should convert to evaluation mode as soon as possible after you first power on the host. For information about managing licensing and setting an ESXi host to evaluation mode, see the vCenter Server and Host Management documentation. Recording the ESXi License Key All ESXi editions have license keys associated with them. VMware recommends that you write down the license key and tape it to the server, or put the license key in a secure, easily accessible location. You can access the license key from the direct console or the vSphere Web Client. If the host becomes inaccessible or unbootable, it is important that you have a record of the license key. Access the ESXi License Key from the Direct Console If you have physical access to the host or remote access to the direct console, you can use the direct console to access the ESXi license key. Procedure u From the direct console, select View Support Information. The license key appears in the form XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX, labeled License Serial Number. NOTE The physical machine serial number also appears, labeled Serial Number. Do not confuse the license key with the physical machine serial number. Access the ESXi License Key from the vSphere Web Client You can use the vSphere Web Client to access the ESXi license key. Procedure 1 From the vSphere Web Client, connect to the vCenter Server. 2 Select the host in the inventory. 3 Select the Manage tab. 4 Select Settings. 5 Select System. 6 Select Licensing. The license key appears in the form XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. 268 VMware, Inc.