HCX VCPP License failed to apply with the error "Local licensing verification failed due to an invalid or expired key. See VMware KB 95336"

Products

• VMware HCX

Issue/Introduction

• HCX was upgraded to version 4.11. 
• HCX License is expiring soon.
• New License received from the cloud provider is in the format #######################
• On applying a new HCX license key received from the cloud provider : HCX Admin Page > Configuration > Licensing and Activation, it fails with the error: "Local licensing (Add-on) verification failed due to an invalid or expired key. See VMware KB 95336."
  
• The following error is observed in  /common/logs/appliance-management/appliance-management.log

  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-2, , ] ERROR c.v.v.h.license.VLicenseChecker- Serial Key Error. Error Message : Invalid Serial Number Format
  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-2, , ] INFO  c.v.v.h.license.VLicenseChecker- Validating input key against Product : VMware HCX, Version : 1.0
  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-2, , ] ERROR c.v.v.h.license.VLicenseChecker- Serial Key Error. Error Message : Invalid Serial Number Format
  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-2, , ] INFO  c.v.v.h.s.ActivationKeyUtil- RESULT {"rowCount":0,"rows":[]}
  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-2, , ] ERROR c.v.v.h.s.ActivationKeyUtil- Not a valid license key, licenseKey: #############################
  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-2, , ] ERROR c.v.v.licensing.LicensesController- Error verifying License Key For Standalone Activation Mode for given new key #############################, systemType hcx-enterprise
  org.springframework.security.authentication.BadCredentialsException: The provided key is invalid. In case you do not have a valid key contact your administrator for assistance.
          at com.vmware.vchs.hybridity.subscription.ActivationKeyUtil.verifyLicenseKey(ActivationKeyUtil.java:496)
          .......
  <timestamp> UTC [https-jsse-nio-9443-exec-9, , ] DEBUG o.s.w.s.m.m.a.HttpEntityMethodProcessor- Writing ["{"message":"Local licensing verification failed due to an invalid or expired key. See VMware KB 9533 (truncated)..."]

Environment

VMware HCX 

Cause

• Post update to HCX 4.11.x, any changes to a new or existing VCPP Activation key is not supported.
• This is due to the communication with connect.vmware.com (licensing server) no longer required after upgrading to 4.11.x (HCX transitions to standalone mode).
• Only the following license keys are supported post upgrading to HCX 4.11: 
  
  • VCF Solution Licensing,
  • NSX Data Center Enterprise Plus, 
  • NSX-T Enterprise Plus,
  • NSX Data Center Advanced
  • NSX-T Advanced.
• Refer to the release notes for more information. VMware HCX 4.11 release notes

Resolution

• Fresh installs of 4.11.x HCX Manager with VCPP license are supported and activated for 450 days.
• HCX installations utilizing VCPP license will remain active for up to 450 days post upgrade to HCX 4.11.x.
• If there are any licensing errors generated when using a VCPP license, please create a case with your respective hyperscaler team.
  

Additional Information

This KB will be updated with future changes as they become available.