Applying VSAN licensing (optional)
Although it is integrated with vSphere and exists as a native extension to the ESXi hypervisor, VSAN is a separately licensed product. Like all vSphere products, VSAN will enable without a license for the default 60-day evaluation period. Despite this, it is best to license the VSAN cluster prior to full deployment, so as to avoid potential complications resulting from license expiration.
Getting ready
You should be logged in to the vSphere Web Client as an administrator or user, authorized to alter cluster-level settings and licensing/entitlement.
How to do it…
To add your VSAN license, you must browse the vSphere Web Client:
- Navigate to Home | Licensing | License Keys.
- Click on the green + icon to add a license key.
- Enter or paste your license key into the textbox.
- Click on Next.
How it works…
VSAN is licensed per-cluster. As VSAN is a distributed product, it is cluster-centric rather than host-centric. The license is applied to the vSphere cluster within vCenter, and the license is consumed by the ESXi hosts/VSAN nodes as applicable per the terms of your license.
There's more…
There are a variety of licensing options for VSAN, depending on your use case. You can license VSAN specifically for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) using VMware Horizon View, as a service provider or for general-purpose production. Regardless of which license type you use, you apply the license using this recipe.
For more information regarding which license type is best for your needs, please contact your VMware representative or retail partner.