Use this page to select a licensing model for your license file. After you make your selection, click Next to continue.
The following two models are available for your selection:
- Centralized License Server – When you use this licensing model, a single license file holding your licensed entitlement is stored on a license server. The license server manages an entire license pool making licenses available to one or more hosts. When a host requires a particular licensed functionality, the license key for that entitlement is temporarily checked out from the license pool. Unused license keys are released to the pool, becoming available again to any host. This simplifies license administration by allowing allocation and re-allocation of licenses from a single location.
- Single Host – When you use this licensing model, the license files are stored on individual VMware ESX hosts. There is no automatic distribution of unused licenses, but there is no dependence on an external connection for licensing.
Notes:
- Lab Manager can use only the Single Host licensing model.
- VirtualCenter and features that require VirtualCenter, such as VMotion, must use the Centralized License Server licensing model.
- VMware ESX specific features can use either the Centralized License Server or Single Host model. It is possible to run a mixed environment employing both the Centralized License Server and Single Host licensing models.
- If create a license file using one licensing model and later decide that you want to switch to the other model, delete the license file you have created and then generate a new file using the model of your preference.
For more information on licensing models, refer to the Installation and Upgrade Guide.
