Reset VMWARE ESXi License

[ehowton]

** FOR EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY **

CLI

cp /etc/vmware/license.cfg /etc/vmware/license.BAK

rm -r /etc/vmware/license.cfg

cp /etc/vmware/.#license.cfg /etc/vmware/license.cfg

/etc/init.d/vpxa restart


GUI
HOST --> MANAGE --> LICENSING

Copy Key --> Save

Remove license (should revert immediately back to Evaluation Mode)

*May need to reboot host

---

script to auto-reset license every 60-days:

#!/bin/sh
## remove license
echo 'Removing License'
rm -r /etc/vmware/license.cfg
## get a new trial license
echo 'Copying new license'
cp /etc/vmware/.#license.cfg /etc/vmware/license.cfg
## restart services
echo 'Restarting VPXA'
/etc/init.d/vpxa restart

# chmod +x reset-eval.sh
# /bin/echo "* * 59 * * /vmfs/volumes/__datastore__/reset-eval.sh" >> /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root
# kill $(cat /var/run/crond.pid) && crond