VMware by Broadcom Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) - VMware Usage Meter Operational Guidelines

Products

• VMware Usage Meter
• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Many VCSPs have faced operational issues while Reporting consumption using VMware Usage Meter 

Environment

VMware Usage Meter 4.8 or above

VMware vCenter Server 7.x or above

VMware vSphere 7. x or above

Cause

VCSPs are facing key operational issues with VMware UsageMeter, impacting reporting of the right infrastructure consumption to Broadcom Systems.

Resolution

License Key Display Issue

Problem: UsageMeter hourly reports show #####-######-##### instead of proper license keys.

Solution: Validate vCenter Server user permissions for UsageMeter access. Ensure the user has all minimum permissions outlined in the Usage Meter documentation, including:

1. Global Licenses assigned to the credentials used with Usage Meter

2. Proper license swap permissions

Failure to set these permissions correctly can result in license swap failures and improper key display.

 

Unexpected High Core Consumption

Problem: Billing shows unexpectedly high core consumption or overall billing amount.

Solution: Power down secondary White Label older Usage Meters. Partners participating in the White Label program should:

1. Deploy new Usage Meter appliances

2. Ensure old meters are powered down

Failure to deactivate old meters can lead to overage and inflated billing.

 

Billing Discrepancies

Problem: Unexpected invoicing or billing discrepancies.

Solution: If issues persist after addressing the above problems:

1. Raise a support ticket via support.broadcom.com

2. Share the ticket information with your Broadcom Sales team

This approach ensures that complex billing issues receive proper attention and resolution from the support team.

 

By addressing these common UsageMeter issues, VCSPs can improve the accuracy of their reporting and billing processes, leading to more predictable and correct invoicing.

Additional Information

** vCenter Permissions steps

 

1. Assign the following permissions.
1. Set the storage privileges.
• For vCenter Server versions 8.x, select VM storage policies > View VM storage policies
• For vCenter Server versions 7.x, select Profile-driven storage > Profile-driven storage view. >
2. To allow managing and viewing license keys, select Global > Licenses.
3. If the vCenter Server instance has vSAN enabled, select Cns > Searchable.
4. Click Next.
2. Enter a name and a description for the new role and click Finish.
3. Assign the new role to the user that you use for the Usage Meter collection.