Introduction
In the world of virtualization, VMware has long been a leader, providing robust solutions for businesses to manage their IT infrastructure efficiently. With the release of vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, VMware has introduced some changes to its licensing model for vSphere Foundation (VVF) and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). This article will explore these changes and guide how to determine license usage in this new version.
Understanding VVF & VCF
Before delving into the specifics of the licensing changes, it's essential to understand what VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) are.
VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) is a bundle offering that provides a powerful and simplified solution for small businesses looking to virtualize their infrastructure. It includes essential features of vSphere, such as vCenter Server, vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi), and vSAN, making it an ideal choice for organizations with limited IT resources.
On the other hand, VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is an integrated software stack that combines compute, storage, and networking virtualization into a single platform. It provides a complete cloud infrastructure solution that can be deployed on-premises or consumed as a service through VMware Cloud Providers.
Licensing Changes in vSphere 8.0 Update 2b
With the release of vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, VMware has significantly changed its licensing model for vSphere Foundation (VVF) and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). These changes are aimed at providing more flexibility and scalability for customers.
One of the key changes is the introduction of a new licensing metric called Virtual Memory Entitlement (VME). This metric is used to determine the amount of virtual memory that can be allocated to virtual machines (VMs) running on the host. The VME is calculated based on the total physical memory (RAM) installed on the host and the licensing level (e.g., Standard, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus).
Another change is the introduction of per-VM licensing for certain features, such as vMotion and Storage vMotion. This means that customers will now need to purchase licenses for these features on a per-VM basis, rather than on a per-host basis as before.
Analyzing License Usage in vSphere 8.0 Update 2b
To determine license usage in vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, follow these steps:
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Identify the Hosts: First, identify the hosts in your environment that are running vSphere Foundation (VVF) or VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF).
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Calculate the Virtual Memory Entitlement (VME): Calculate the Virtual Memory Entitlement (VME) for each host based on the total physical memory (RAM) installed on the host and the licensing level. The formula for calculating VME is as follows:
VME = Total Physical Memory (RAM) * Licensing Level Factor
Licensing Level Factor
- Standard: 1.0
- Enterprise: 2.0
- Enterprise Plus: 4.0
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Calculate the Total Virtual Memory Entitlement (TVME): Calculate the Total Virtual Memory Entitlement (TVME) for all hosts in your environment by summing up the VME values for each host.
TVME = Σ VME for all hosts
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Determine the Virtual Memory Used (VMU): Determine the total virtual memory used (VMU) by all VMs running on the hosts in your environment. You can use tools like vCenter Server to gather this information.
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Compare TVME and VMU: Compare the Total Virtual Memory Entitlement (TVME) and the Virtual Memory Used (VMU) to determine if you are exceeding your license entitlement. If the VMU exceeds the TVME, you may need to purchase additional licenses to comply with your licensing agreement.
How to Export Licensing Information for Your vSphere Environment
You can export licensing information about vSphere licenses, products, or assets. The information is saved on your local system as a .CSV file. You can later open the .CSV file with third-party applications.
Prerequisites
- To view and manage licenses in the vSphere environment, you must have the Global. Licenses privilege on the vCenter Server system, where the vSphere Client runs.
Procedure
- Click Menu > Administration.
- Expand Licensing and click Licenses.
- (Optional) Select an item to export.
If you do not select a particular license, product, or asset, all items from the respective list are exported.
- Click the Licenses tab to select one or more licenses to export.
- Click the Products tab to select a product to export.
- Click the Assets tab to select the vCenter Server instance, hosts, clusters, or solutions whose licensing information you want to export.
- Click the Export button at the bottom of the list.
When prompted, save the CSV file in your file system.
- If you selected one or more items to export, click Selected Rows.
- If you selected one or more items but want to export all items, click All Rows.
- If you selected no items, all items from the respective list are exported.
vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, released recently, introduces a new feature where customers can utilize 100 GiB trial vSAN storage capacity for each deployed VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) core for vSAN usage. For details, check VMware KB 95927 (brownfield) and VMware KB 96426 (greenfield) to determine your entitlement.
After updating your vCenter Server to vSphere 8.0 Update 2b, access Customer Connect to download your new VVF and/or VCF license keys for vSAN activation. To verify if an ESXi host is licensed with the new keys, use the vSphere UI by navigating to Administration->Licensing->Licenses->Assets->Hosts or vSAN Clusters, which can be time-consuming in large environments with various license editions.
Automation and the vSphere API can simplify this process. A PowerCLI function called Get-vSphereLicensingDetails has been created to retrieve all licensing information for an ESXi and vSphere Cluster tailored to your specific needs.
To check if a vSphere license key is entitled for VVF or VCF, examine the edition key property for esx.vvf or esx.vcf string using the LicenseManager API on the vCenter Server.
Conclusion
VMware has significantly changed its licensing model for vSphere Foundation (VVF) and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) in vSphere 8.0 Update 2b. These changes introduce new metrics and licensing options, providing customers with more flexibility and scalability. By understanding these changes and following the steps outlined above, you can effectively determine license usage in your environment and ensure compliance with your licensing agreement.
Reference
VMware Documentation.