Replication Error "Cannot reconfigure replication group 'abcd' (managed object ID: "GID-b173###-###-###-###-8017eBc###'). Details: "License key has expired.'.

Products

• VMware Live Recovery

Issue/Introduction

Virtual machines cannot replicate and have an Error related to License key.

Environment

VMware ESXi 8.X
VMware Live Recovery 9.X

Cause

Due to a rare corner-case timing issue in the hostd service, an ESXi license might expire before the assigned end date, disrupting virtual machine operations.

Resolution

This issue has been resolved in ESXi 8.0u3h build 25067014, please see the release notes.

Workaround:

Follow the below steps:

1. SSH to the ESXi host in question
2. Run the below commands
   
   touch /etc/vmware/license.cfg
   vim-cmd vimsvc/license --show
   
   These commands force hostd to recheck the license and refresh the correct expiration date.
   
   
3. Re-configure the affected Vm.

If the above commands do not work, restarting the hostd service on ESXi host or rebooting the affected host may resolve the issue. 

/etc/init.d/hostd restart 

NOTE: 

• The first procedure is the least impactful, however, other options are listed below.
• Restarting hostd service accomplishes the same end but is a full service restart.
• vCenter upgrade triggers the same refresh on the host when the vCenter contacts the host for the first time.  However, since this requires an upgrade it is the most impactful. 
• Any of these solutions are a valid work-around for this issue.