Adding "VMware vSAN 8 for Foundation" license key to vCenter fails with error "The following serial keys are invalid: ####-####-...."

Products

• VMware vSAN
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms

• Attempts to add "VMware vSAN 8 for Foundation" license key to vCenter fails with error:  "The following serial keys are invalid:  ####-####-....":
  
• The license key matches the record in the Broadcom Support Portal. However, despite copying the key directly into the vSphere Client, the "invalid serial key" error persists.

Environment

• VMware vSAN 8.x

• VMware vCenter 8.x

Cause

• The "VMware vSAN 8 for Foundation" license is supported to be used on vCenter version 8.0U3 and above.

• This can also be validated by looking at the Broadcom support portal > License > License description - it states that "VMware vSAN 8 for Foundation (Supports vCenter Server 8.0U3 and above)":

  

• If it is attempted to add this license on a lower version of vCenter, the license key validation check will fail stating that the key is invalid.

Resolution

To resolve this issue:

1. Upgrade the vCenter to version 8.0U3 or above.

2. Also ensure that All ESXi hosts in the cluster are of version 8.0U3 or above.

3. After the upgrade, add the "VMware vSAN 8 for Foundation" license key to the vCenter and also apply it to the vSAN cluster.

Additional Information

For more information about the VVF and VCF licensing refer VMware Cloud Foundation and vSphere Foundation Solution License Key.