vSAN License Assignment Failure: Incompatible vCenter Version

Products

• VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to assign a vSAN 7.x Perpetual or Subscription license key to a vSAN cluster managed by vCenter Server 8.x, the vSphere Client returns the following error:

• "The created license with serial key ####-####-####-####-#### cannot be assigned to the chosen asset"

This typically occurs after upgrading vCenter Server to 8.0, even if some or all ESXi hosts remain on version 7.x. The cluster may show a licensing compliance error or default to "Evaluation Mode."

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server 8.x
• VMware ESXi 7.x or 8.x
• VMware vSAN 7.x or 8.x
• Mixed Perpetual and Subscription licensing models

 

Cause

vSAN licensing enforcement is governed by the version of the vCenter Server managing the cluster, not the individual ESXi host versions. When vCenter Server is upgraded to version 8.x, the management layer requires vSAN 8.x license keys for the cluster object. Legacy vSAN 7.x keys are invalidated for clusters under vCenter 8.x management.

Resolution

To resolve this compliance error, you must upgrade your vSAN entitlements to version 8.x in the Broadcom Support Portal.

1. Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal.
2. Navigate to your entitlements and upgrade the legacy vSAN 7.x keys to version 8.0.
3. In the vSphere Client, navigate to Administration > Licensing > Licenses.
4. Add the new vSAN 8.x license key.
5. Assign the vSAN 8.x license to the affected cluster.
6. Verify the license state in the vSAN Cluster view to ensure the "Evaluation" warning has cleared.

Note: Mixed-mode clusters (e.g., a mix of ESXi 8.0 and ESXi 7.0 hosts) are fully supported under vCenter 8.x, provided a valid vSAN 8.x license is applied to the cluster. There is no requirement to split the cluster during the upgrade transition.

 

Additional Information

• For steps on how to download Broadcom products and software, see Knowledge Article 142814.
• To speak with a customer representative or a Support Engineer, see Contact Support. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on your respective region.