After I use installation CD to finish ESXi install, I found it only 60 trial days. I can use VI client to input the KEY that I requested from VMware web site.

I want to integrate the KEY with installation CD. How to do it? I think it's related to license.tgz file. If it's true, could someone point out how to modify license.tgz.

Thanks in advanced.

Do you have a linux system so you can run my script ?
I could add a option to add that with with ease, if it can be done that is.
As I use functions so it's just about reuse them

rgd Daniel

Yes, I can use linux when I am in office tomorrow. Is the option a/v in your script v2.8?

Thanks Varazir

I think you may need sometime on debuging your script.

Can you tell me the way?

I export the /etc/vmware/license.cfg when I finish input KEY in VI Client 3.5. Then I compress the license.cfg with folder path to license.tgz, and copy to the the PXE server.

when I boot ESXi from PXE, I checked the /etc/vmware/license.cfg is same as the one in license.tgz. But when I use VI client to check the license information, I saw Unlicensed CPU.

Where is wrong in my steps?

Do you also have a copy of the file in state.tgz? With a regular setup, the license.cfg file will be in state.tgz (so it would overwrite whatever file you put in license.tgz). Have you also included /etc/vmware/vmware.lic (that'll have the serial number in it).

In you testing are you using the some host?

No I don't have that option in the script today, I can add it but I need to know how and witch files to edit,

I would first check to see if license.cfg from one host will work on another. I would have thought the file would be tied to a specific host.

Dave, Yes. I know files in state.tgz will overwrite other files of *.tgz.

state.tgz do not exist before ESXi first boot nornal. In my PXE server, there is no state.tgz and I am sure that license.cfg did not been overwrite when ESXi boot-up.


No I do not include it in license.tgz. I will try. Thanks your information.

After I add vmware.lic file to license.tgz, everthing is ok. I tried boot two different PC from PXE, both of them displayed Licensed for 1 CPU.

Just wait your result for double verification

So it's not a text file that I can edit ? that would be the best way to doing it in a script.

Then we have the question is it allowed to do it by script

rgd Daniel