Vcenter License Key Command Line -

Each vCenter system itself (not just hosts) requires a license.

vcenter.license.assign --license <LICENSE_KEY> --system <vCenter_UUID>

How to find the vCenter UUID:

vcenter.system.info

Look for id in the output.

Example:

vcenter.license.assign --license 12345-67890-ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO --system a1234567-b89c-12d3-e456-789012345678

To assign a license to all hosts in a datacenter or cluster (requires --asset-type):

vcenter.license.assign --license <KEY> --asset-type Host --cluster <Cluster_Name>

$license = New-VMLicense -LicenseKey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"

vim-cmd vimsvc/license/add <LICENSE_KEY>

For environments without PowerCLI, you can use REST API calls (vCenter 6.5+) or SOAP-based vmware-cmd scripts. Modern vCenter APIs allow license assignment via HTTP requests.

Example using curl with vCenter REST API:

curl -k -X POST \
  -H "vmware-api-session-id: $SESSION_ID" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '"license_key":"XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"' \
  https://vcenter.example.com/api/licensing/license

This method is more complex but ideal for automation in Linux-based environments.

Best for: Managing a single standalone ESXi host, emergency maintenance, or scripted kickstart installations.

You must enable SSH on the ESXi host to use this method.

PowerCLI is the most robust method for the vCenter license key command line workflow. It is object-oriented, supports modern APIs, and works across platforms.

| Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | “License not found” | Run vcenter.license.list first to confirm key format. | | “Cannot remove – assigned” | Unassign from all assets using vcenter.license.unassign then retry. | | “Insufficient capacity” | Your license doesn’t have enough CPU cores or VMs for the assigned assets. Upgrade or reduce assignments. | | “Evaluation period expired” | You never assigned a real license. Add and assign a valid key immediately. |

Use this to add a new license from your purchasing agreement. The license will be unassigned initially.

vcenter.license.add --key <LICENSE_KEY> --labels "cost-center=finance" "support-tier=premium"

Example:

vcenter.license.add --key 12345-67890-ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO