Put VMware ESXi in Evaluation Mode
To put VMware ESXi into evaluation mode, you need to license it with an evaluation key or enable the evaluation period if you haven’t entered a license key yet. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Install or Upgrade to ESXi
If you haven’t installed ESXi yet or if you are running a version with a permanent license, you might need to reinstall or upgrade it to a version that supports evaluation mode.
2. Access the ESXi Host
You’ll need to access the ESXi host through the vSphere Client or the web interface.
Open the vSphere Client or Web Interface:
- For vSphere Client: Use the vSphere Client to connect to your ESXi host.
- For Web Interface: Open a web browser and navigate to the IP address or hostname of your ESXi host.
Log in:
- Enter your username and password to access the ESXi host.
3. Check Current License Status
Navigate to Licensing:
- For Web Interface:
- Go to Host > Manage > Licensing.
- For vSphere Client:
- Go to Host > Configuration > Licensing.
Review License Information:
- Check the current license status to confirm if it’s in evaluation mode or if a permanent license is already applied.
4. Enter Evaluation Mode
If you haven’t applied a license key yet, ESXi will typically run in evaluation mode by default for 60 days. If you need to ensure it’s in evaluation mode, follow these steps:
Navigate to Licensing:
- As mentioned, go to Host > Manage > Licensing (Web Interface) or Host > Configuration > Licensing (vSphere Client).
Apply or Remove License Key:
- If you currently have a license key applied and want to revert to evaluation mode:
- Remove the Existing License Key: Click Edit or Change next to the license information and remove the current license key.
- Apply Evaluation Mode: If there’s no license key, the system should default to evaluation mode.
Confirm Evaluation Mode:
- After removing the license key, you should see a notification that the host is running in evaluation mode.
5. Verify Evaluation Mode
Check the License Information:
- After the removal of the license key, verify in the Licensing section that it shows the host is in evaluation mode.
Look for Evaluation Period Details:
- The evaluation period usually lasts for 60 days from the first boot after installation or license removal.
6. Additional Considerations
- Time Limit: Remember that the evaluation mode is limited to 60 days. After this period, you’ll need to apply a valid license key to continue using the features beyond the evaluation period.
- Backup and Data Preservation: Ensure that you have a backup of your configuration and data before making changes to licenses or reinstalling ESXi.