Upgrade path from vSphere 8.x to VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) 9 or VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vSAN
• VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations) 8.x
• VCF Operations
• VMware vSphere Foundation
• VMware Cloud Foundation

Issue/Introduction

This article explains how to access VCF 9 or VVF 9 licenses.

• The license key cannot be upgraded from version 8.x to 9.x. The upgrade attempt fails with error: No data available to upgrade.

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server 8.x

• vCenter 9.0, 9.1

• VMware Aria Operations 8.x

• VCF Operations 9.0, 9.1

• VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) 5.x

• VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) 9.0, 9.1

• VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 5.x

• VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, 9.1

Cause

Licensing for version 9.0 and later has transitioned from traditional 25-character keys to subscription-based license files. Traditional license key upgrades in the support portal are not supported for these versions.

Resolution

Any subscription eligible to use VCF 9 or VVF 9 will have the license automatically available at VCF Business Services console.

Pre-requisites

1. Ensure the Broadcom Site ID has an entitlement or subscription eligible to use VCF 9 or VVF 9.
2. Ensure to have the required permissions for licensing in the Site ID.
3. Install or upgrade to VCF Operations 9.x.

How to use VCF 9 or VVF 9 licensing?

1. Licensing for VCF 9.x and VVF 9.x and later is managed using a VCF Operations instance and the VMware Cloud Foundation Business Services Console. Subscription-based license files replace the use of 25-character license keys. Refer to: Licensing Overview.

How to install or upgrade to VCF Operation 9.x?

1. VCF Operations can be installed using the VMware Cloud Foundation Installer. The installer can be downloaded from support.broadcom.com  > My Downloads. For more information, refer to: Deployment, Convergence, and Upgrade.
2. Current VMware Aria Operations users can upgrade to VCF Operations 9.x. For more information, refer to: Upgrade VMware Aria Operations to VCF Operations 9.0.

Which permission is needed for  licensing?

1. If the account has either of the following site roles, VCF Business Services console can be accessed for licensing:
   1. User Administrator
   2. Product Administrator
2. Without these primary roles, licensing access remains possible through an assigned VCF Business Services console tenant. Tenant access requires the Site Access site role combined with one of the following tenant roles:
   
   1. Tenant Administrator
   2. License Manager
   3. License Refresh (usage upload and subsequent license download only)
   4. License Read Only (read only access to licenses)

How can a user determine whether a subscription or entitlement qualifies for a VCF 9 or VVF 9 upgrade?

1. Navigate to vcf.broadcom.com > Licenses. The absence of error messages alongside an active license listed in the licenses table confirms entitlement eligibility for VCF 9 or VVF 9.