Cannot apply licences to ESXi hosts and vCenter 9.0 if the existing licences have already expired and VCF Operations is not available

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VCF Operations
• VMware Cloud Foundation

Issue/Introduction

• Existing licenses on ESXi hosts and vCenter 9.0 are already expired, and VCF Operations is not available to perform the update and renewal.

Environment

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0
VCF Operations 9.0
VMware vSphere 9.0

Cause

Licenses cannot be allocated to expired hosts if VCF Operations is down.

The VCF 9.0 environment specifically expects the user to stay connected to VCF Operations, and have the assets (VC, hosts) registered. After registration, the vCenter will receive the license entitlement, which is then propagated to the connected hosts.

Resolution

Suggested workaround to overcome the issue:

1. Install a fresh standalone ESXi host with a 60-day Evaluation Mode active.
   
   
2. Deploy a fresh VCF Operations VM through an OVF Template in the standalone ESXi host through the Host Client.
   
   
3. Log in to the VCF Operations UI and register the unlicensed vCenter Server.
   
   
4. Apply the VCF 9 Solution License within VCF Operations to trigger the automated entitlement push to vCenter.
   
   
5. Confirm vCenter has received the license which it will then automatically propagate to the connected expired hosts restoring their functionality.