vSAN Licensing behavior when using "VMware vSphere 8.0U3 Enterprise Plus for VDI" Solution Key

Products

• Product Entitlements/Contracts Related
• VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

• Customer applies the VDI solution key to vCenter and ESXi.
• vSphere and vCenter are correctly licensed.
• vSAN Cluster shows "Evaluation Mode" with a 60-day expiry (or expires after 60 days).
• Attempts to assign the VDI key specifically to vSAN fail with an "Invalid Serial Key" error.

Cause

The VDI-specific bundle uses a "Solution Key" architecture. Version 8.0 U2b and earlier do not have the licensing logic to parse the vSAN entitlement from this specific VDI key.

Resolution

1. Upgrade Requirement: Both vCenter Server and all ESXi hosts in the vSAN cluster must be upgraded to version 8.0 U3 or higher.
2. License Application:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Apply the solution key VMware vSphere 8.0U3 Enterprise Plus for VDI to vCenter and ESXi hosts.
   • Navigate to vSAN Cluster > Configure > Licensing.
   • Assign the "Evaluation License."
3. Expected Result: In version 8.0 U3, the licensing service will recognize the solution key's entitlement. vSAN will remain in "Evaluation Mode" but the expiry will change to a long-term date (e.g., year 2075/2076) and reflect the VDI-bundled capacity.