vSphere Foundation license assigned to vCenter Server is not visible in VMware Aria Operations

Products

• VCF Operations/Automation (formerly VMware Aria Suite)

Issue/Introduction

vSphere Foundation License does not appear in VMware Aria Operations after being assigned to vCenter Server.
 
 

Environment

VMware Aria Operations 8.18

Cause

Beginning with VCF 5.1.1 and vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, the vSphere license key functions as the Solution License Key for both VCF and VVF.
Component license keys continue to be listed separately in the Customer Connect / Broadcom Support licensing portal.

• Solution Key:
  VMware vSphere 8 Enterprise Plus for vSphere Foundation
  (Supports vCenter Server 8.0U2b and later)
  
  
• Component Key:
  VMware vCenter Server 8 Standard Term License (per instance)
  
  

In this scenario, the vCenter Server has been assigned a component license key instead of the required solution license key.
As a result, VMware Aria Operations cannot recognize or unlock the vSphere Foundation entitlement.

Note: All features of vSphere Foundation (with the exception of vSAN) are unlocked by the solution key, including vSphere, Aria Suite Standard, vCenter Server, and Tanzu Kubernetes Grid.

Resolution

1. Log in to the vCenter Server using the vSphere Client.
2. Navigate to Administration > Licensing > Assets > vCenter Server Systems
3. Verify which license key is currently assigned to the vCenter Server.
4. If a component license key is assigned, re-assign the appropriate vSphere Foundation Solution Key instead.
5. Log in to the VMware Aria Operatons.
6. Navigate to Administration > Integrations > Accounts > vCenter
7. Select Stop Collecting and then Start Collecting on the vCenter adapter instnace.
   

The solution key is properly assigned, the vSphere Foundation license should become visible in VMware Aria Operations.

       

Additional Information

VMware Cloud Foundation and vSphere Foundation Solution License Key

VMware Aria Operations 8.18 - About Licenses