Managing vCenter Server licenses through the Command-Line Interface (CLI) is a critical skill for administrators handling automated deployments or headless environments like vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA). While the GUI is intuitive, the CLI offers speed and repeatability. Understanding the
The primary tool for license management in the vSphere ecosystem via CLI is
. In the context of vCenter, you generally interact with the licensing manager via the (VIM Service) stack. Key Commands for License Management 1. Viewing Current Licenses
Before adding a new key, it is helpful to see what is currently installed. You can list the licenses and their features using: vim-cmd vim-svc/license --show Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
This command outputs the license type, the serial key (partially masked), and the expiration date. 2. Adding a New License Key To apply a new vCenter Server license key, use the flag followed by your 25-character key: vim-cmd vim-svc/license --set=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
If successful, the system will return a confirmation message. Note that this replaces the existing evaluation or expired license for the vCenter instance. 3. Checking License Usage
To see how many "units" (instances or CPUs) are being consumed by the current inventory, use: vim-cmd vim-svc/license --check Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Automation and Scripting
For administrators managing multiple vCenter instances, these commands can be wrapped into Bash scripts. Using SSH, you can push a license key to a remote vCenter without ever opening a web browser: ssh root@vcenter-ip 'vim-cmd vim-svc/license --set=YOUR-KEY-HERE' Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Important Considerations Permissions:
You must have root or administrative shell access (usually via Bash) to execute these commands. vCSA vs. ESXi:
works on both, the licensing structures differ. Ensure your key is specifically for vCenter Server and not an ESXi host key. Persistence: Changes made via are immediate and persistent across reboots.
By mastering these few commands, you can streamline your infrastructure-as-code workflows and troubleshoot licensing issues far more efficiently than through the standard vSphere Client. across a cluster using similar scripts?
This report outlines the methods for viewing and managing vCenter Server and ESXi license keys via the command line interface (CLI), primarily using the vSphere Command-Line Interface (vCLI) and PowerCLI.
1. Viewing Licenses via vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) Shell
To view the currently assigned assets and license information directly from the vCenter Server Appliance, you can inspect the configuration files or use embedded tools:
Config File Inspection: You can use the cat and grep commands to find the instance ID or assigned asset details within the vCenter configuration files. cat /etc/vmware-vpx/vpxd.cfg | grep -i instanceid Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
vim-cmd: This utility is embedded in the VCSA and provides direct management capabilities for the environment. 2. Managing ESXi Host Licenses via CLI
While vCenter manages the central pool, you often need to check or set licenses on individual hosts. This is typically done via the ESXi Shell or SSH.
View Current License: Use the following command to retrieve the current license key on an ESXi host: vim-cmd vimsvc/license --show Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
Assign New License: To set a new license key via the command line: vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 3. Managing Licenses with VMware PowerCLI
PowerCLI is the preferred method for automated license reporting across an entire vCenter environment.
Get All Licenses: To list every license key available in your vCenter inventory: powershell Get-vInventory -License Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Assign a License to a Host: powershell
Set-VMHost -VMHost "ESXi_Hostname" -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 4. Summary of Key Resources Tool / Path Local VCSA vpxd.cfg Identify instance IDs and basic asset assignments. ESXi Shell vim-cmd Retrieve or set the license for a specific host. Automation PowerCLI
Bulk export or management of licenses across the data center. GUI Alternative Broadcom Support Portal Download, split, or export license keys in Excel format.
For high-level management, such as splitting keys or downloading new entitlements, users must now use the Broadcom Support - My Dashboard under the "My Entitlements" section. vcenter license key command line
Download license keys for Broadcom, CA, Symantec, and VMware products
Only works if the license is not assigned to any asset.
vcenter.license.remove --key <LICENSE_KEY>
$license = New-VMLicense -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"
$hostsOnOldLicense = Get-VMHost | Where-Object $_.LicenseKey -eq $oldKey
After adding the license key, you can assign it to your vCenter Server:
$licenseKey = "YourLicenseKeyToAssign"
$licenseAssignment = Get-LicenseKey -LicenseKey $licenseKey
Set-LicenseAssignment -AssignedTo $vCenterServerName -LicenseKey $licenseAssignment
While the vSphere Client (HTML5) provides a user-friendly graphical interface for license management, the command line offers superior capabilities for automation, bulk operations, and disaster recovery. The primary tool for this task is the vSphere CLI (vicfg-license) or, more commonly in modern environments, PowerCLI.
This review evaluates the methods, syntax, usability, and practical applications of managing vCenter licenses via CLI.
vim-cmd vimsvc/license/add <LICENSE_KEY>
Remove a license from a specific asset without deleting the license key:
vcenter.license.unassign --asset Host --asset-id <Host_UUID>
Find a host’s UUID:
vcenter.host.list
The datacenter hummed like a distant galaxy. Rows of racks stood sentinel beneath cool, fluorescent skies; each server a planet orbiting the control room where Mira kept watch. She was the cluster’s steward, a sysadmin who found truths in logs and poetry in prompts. Today, the problem had a name: licensing.
At 07:12 the monitoring alerts bloomed across her console — several hosts reporting expired vCenter licenses. Production would be throttled if those VMs lost privileges. Mira sipped cold coffee and opened a secure shell to the management appliance. The GUI was slow and sentimental; she preferred crisp, decisive commands.
She typed:
# Connect to vCenter Appliance shell
ssh root@vcenter.example.local
# List current vCenter licenses
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --list
The output scrolled like constellations: keys, IDs, counts. One key glared in red — expired. Mira swiped it away with another command she’d crafted months ago and kept safe in an encrypted snippet on her hardware token.
First she added the new license:
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --add XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
The system acknowledged with an unobtrusive “License added.” Next she assigned it to the inventory:
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --assign vmware vCenterServerLicenseKey
A pause — then confirmation. Hosts began to sigh relief, and resource limits lifted like a tide.
Still, Mira didn’t trust silence. She verified:
vim-cmd vimsvc/license --list
esxcli software vib list | grep -i license
The entries now reflected the new key and valid capacity. She pushed an automated note to the ops channel: license updated, no action needed. The monitoring dashboard stopped flagging; green returned.
Later, in a quieter hour, Mira wrote a small script to prevent future surprises: a nightly check that would alert her a week before expiration and hold the new key in a secure vault until needed. She documented the steps in the runbook with crisp comments and a timestamp.
That evening, as the datacenter lights dimmed, Mira walked past the racks. The servers thrummed in steady accord. In the cool glow of the control room, she felt the same satisfaction as when a watchmaker finishes a complicated repair — the whole system, licensed and aligned, ready for whatever tomorrow would run.
It was a typical Monday morning for John, a senior system administrator at a large enterprise. He was sipping his coffee and checking his emails when one of his colleagues, Emma, burst into his office.
"John, we need your help!" Emma exclaimed. "Our vCenter server is running out of licenses, and we can't add any new VMs. Can you help us find the license key or add a new one?" Add a license key $license = New-VMLicense -LicenseKey
John rubbed his temples; he knew how crucial vCenter was for managing their virtual infrastructure. "Okay, let me see what I can do," he said calmly.
He logged into the server where vCenter was running and opened a terminal. To retrieve the current license key, John recalled a useful command:
vcenter-server-license-tool --get-license-key
However, he realized that the command might not work directly unless he was on the specific appliance or had the right tools installed. For vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA), there's a built-in utility.
John tried:
vcli -c <vcenter-server-fqdn> --username <your-username> --password <your-password> license get
But then he remembered a more straightforward approach using PowerCLI for those familiar with PowerShell.
He decided to use PowerCLI, a more powerful tool that could manage vCenter and ESXi hosts. He opened PowerShell and imported the PowerCLI module:
Import-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI
After connecting to his vCenter server:
Connect-VIServer -Server <vcenter-server-fqdn> -Credential (Get-Credential)
He used the command to list all licenses:
Get-VLicense
Or specifically to find details about a certain license:
Get-VLicense -LicenseKey "<license-key-if-known>"
However, his goal was to add a new license key. For that, he used:
New-VLicenseAssignment -LicenseKey "<new-license-key>" -Server <vcenter-server-fqdn>
The relief was palpable when John successfully added the new license key, ensuring their vCenter could manage their VMs without any hiccups.
From that day on, Emma and John made sure to keep track of their licenses more diligently, and John documented the essential command-line operations for future reference, ensuring their team could quickly respond to similar situations.
To manage vCenter Server license keys via the command line, use VMware PowerCLI or the vSphere API (via PowerShell). There is no direct "native" Linux shell command within the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) to add licenses like there is for ESXi hosts. Using VMware PowerCLI
PowerCLI is the standard method for automating license management. You must first connect to your vCenter Server before running these commands. Add a new license key to the inventory: powershell
# Replace with your actual license key $licenseKey = "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" $si = Get-View ServiceInstance $licenseMgr = Get-View $si.Content.LicenseManager $licenseMgr.AddLicense($licenseKey, $null) Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard This adds the key to the global vCenter license pool. Assign a license to the vCenter Server itself: powershell
$assignmentMgr = Get-View $licenseMgr.LicenseAssignmentManager $assignmentMgr.UpdateAssignedLicense($si.Content.About.InstanceUuid, $licenseKey, $null) Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
This links the previously added key to the specific vCenter instance. View current license information: powershell Get-VCLicense Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
This displays the current edition, key, and expiration date. Important Notes
ESXi Comparison: While standalone ESXi hosts use the vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set=KEY command via SSH, this command is not used to license a vCenter Server.
Automation: For advanced automation, such as adding licenses with custom labels, experts often use scripts that interact with the vSphere Managed Object Browser (MOB) via PowerShell.
Verification: After running CLI commands, you can verify the status in the vSphere Client under Administration > Licensing > Licenses. How to Configure License Settings for Your vCenter Server
Managing vCenter license keys via the command line is a critical skill for administrators looking to automate deployments or maintain environments without relying on the vSphere Client. While VMware (now Broadcom) primarily emphasizes the GUI for licensing, you can perform these tasks efficiently using VMware PowerCLI or by interacting with the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) API. Managing Licenses with PowerCLI he used: New-VLicenseAssignment -LicenseKey "<
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
To add a new key to your vCenter Server’s central repository, use the following snippet to access the LicenseManager: powershell
# Connect to your vCenter Connect-VIServer -Server "://example.com" -User "Administrator@vsphere.local" -Password "YourPassword" # Access the License Manager $vCenter = Get-VIServer -Server "://example.com" $licenseManager = Get-View $vCenter.ExtensionData.Content.LicenseManager # Add the new license key $licenseManager.AddLicense("XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX", "Optional Label") Use code with caution.
Note: Using AddLicense only puts the key in the "Available" pool. You must still assign it to an asset to activate it. 2. Assigning the Key to vCenter Server
Once the key is in the inventory, you can assign it to the vCenter instance itself using the LicenseAssignmentManager. How to Manage vCenter and ESXi License Keys via PowerCLI
Managing vCenter Server licenses via the command line is primarily done through VMware PowerCLI or by using the Managed Object Browser (MOB) for emergency situations . While the
utility is common for ESXi hosts, it has limited direct application for vCenter Server itself. 1. Using VMware PowerCLI (Recommended)
PowerCLI is the standard tool for automating vSphere license management. You must have a valid connection to your vCenter Server before running these commands. View Current vCenter License Get-VCLicense
(available in PowerCLI 6.5+) to see the active key, edition, and expiration. powershell Get-VCLicense Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Add a New License Key to Inventory To add a key without immediately assigning it, use the AddLicense method from the LicenseManager powershell
$si = Get-View ServiceInstance $lm = Get-View $si.Content.LicenseManager $lm.AddLicense( "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Assign/Update vCenter License UpdateAssignedLicense method to apply a key to the vCenter instance itself. powershell
$lam = Get-View $lm.LicenseAssignmentManager $vCenterUuid = (Get-View $si.Content.About).InstanceUuid $lam.UpdateAssignedLicense($vCenterUuid, "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard thecloudxpert.net 2. Using ESXi Shell ( standalone ESXi hosts (not yet managed by vCenter), you can use the local shell. View License vim-cmd vimsvc/license --show Set License vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set=YOUR-KEY-HERE Broadcom Community 3. Emergency Recovery via MOB
If your vCenter license is expired and the web client is inaccessible, you can use the Managed Object Browser (MOB) Navigate to
Managing vCenter license keys via the command line is primarily achieved through VMware PowerCLI
, rather than the standard vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) local bash shell. While the vSphere Client is the standard graphical method, command-line tools are essential for bulk operations and automation. virtualizationdojo.com Primary Command Line Methods PowerCLI (Recommended)
: This is the most robust command-line method for managing licenses across your environment. View Licenses Get-VCLicense (for PowerCLI 6.5+) or Get-License
for older versions to see license keys, editions, and expiration dates. Check Status Get-VCLicense -Status provides details on licensed and used CPUs. List Host Keys Get-VMHost | Select Name, LicenseKey to see keys assigned to individual ESXi hosts. Automation : Experts like William Lam
provide scripts to automate adding licenses with custom labels. vcenter_license
module allows you to programmatically add or remove license keys from a vCenter instance. Spiceworks Community ESXi Host vs. vCenter Licensing
It is important to distinguish between licensing an individual host and the vCenter Server itself: Standalone ESXi Hosts : You can directly set a license key using the utility via SSH: Set License vim-cmd vimsvc/license --set=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX View License vim-cmd vimsvc/license --show Managed Hosts
: Once a host is managed by vCenter, it is recommended to use the vSphere Client
or PowerCLI to ensure the vCenter inventory remains synchronized. Broadcom TechDocs Key Considerations VMWARE VCenter en Vsphere evaluation mode license.
This is a complete review of managing vCenter license keys via the command line.