Registering and Activing License for VCF 9

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 has adopted a streamlined licensing model. VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 introduces significant licensing improvements that reduce the complexity and processes required for license validation and compliance of VMware Cloud Foundation environments.

In the past, licensing was a more manual process that required multiple version-specific licensing keys that previous users applied to each respective VMware vCenter server, ESX host, and component.

With the release of VCF 9.0 VMware Cloud Foundation Operations, which is included with VMware Cloud Foundation, provides a comprehensive overview of the VCF 9.0 license allocation and usage in a customer’s private cloud, eliminating the need to log in to each component individually to view licensing information. It also provides a view of the older licenses that are pre-version 9.0 as well.

With VCF 9 All the license generation , activation and registration is done via VCF Operations.

License Connecting Modes:

Connected: Connected mode is easiest for the customer, as within every 180 days, a customer needs to click one button to send in their license usage information. 

Disconnected: Customers with disconnected mode will have to manually upload their license usage file to the Broadcom support portal vcf.broadcom.com, then download the license file to VCF Operations within every 180 days to stay compliant with licensing.

Note that it is easy for a customer to switch between the deployment modes. In this Blog we cover both Connected mode and disconnected mode.

Connected Mode :

Step 1 : Login to the VCF Operations and Click on " GO TO REGISTRATION " or Under License Management -> Registration

Once you click on the Registration you will see the option Start Registration

Step 2 : Click On "Start Registration" , this will open VCF Business Services console , Enter the account which is entitlement to VCF access , follow by password (https://vcf.broadcom.com)

Step 3 : Once u enter the Entitled User name and password , Verify the VCF Instance name and Click Save and Next

Step 4 : Select all the licenses that you want to assign to this VCF Operations instance by clicking the checkbox next to "License Name . If you want to merge or split the license we can do that as well by Clicking on Manage License(Split/Merge). In this case we select all without splitting and Click Save and Next.

Step 5 : Verify the License you selected Click Save and Next

Step 6 : This is the last stage were you will get the Activation code copy , this completes the activation of VCF operation .

Step 7 : Now switch back to the VCF Operations -> License management ->Registration -> Enter Activation Code and Click Activate

Verify the License Status showing as Licensed.

Offline/Disconnected Method to Register the VCF operation and activate the License : Step 1 : Login to the VCF Operations  GO TO REGISTRATION " or Under License Management -> Click on Download Registration File

Step 2 : Save the file in your local machine .

Step 3 : Login to the https://vcf.broadcom.com ,VCF Business Service Console to upload the registration file

Step 4 : Click on Upload Registration file , Click Browse, select the registration file, and click Open

Step 5 : Click Save and Next

Step 6 : Select all licenses by selecting the checkboxes next to the license names and Click Save and Next

Step 7: Click on Download the file and Save the file and Click Finish.

Once you click finish , it will show the

Step 8 : Go back to the VCF Operation page and Click on Import License File

• Click Browse, select the downloaded license file, and click Open

Verify the License Mode showing as disconnected and License status as Licensed .

Assign the License to the VC :

Under VCF Ops , go to License Management -> License -> vCenter Systems -> Select the vCenter to which we want to Assign the license. If we have any Add on License that also we need to assign .

Important Notes :

• License usage must be reported every 180 days for compliance

• Connected mode automates license registrations, updates, and usage reporting

• Disconnected mode is ideal for secure environments without internet access