Re-assign Virtual Machine Management License in SIM v5.0

[Jim Smith_18]

How do I re-assign Virtual Machine Management License in SIM v5.0.

The license was previously applied to a VMWare GSX 3.x server, this server is no longer on the network and has been deleted from SIM. Hence I can not use Deploy->Licnse Manager->Collect keys.

Please help, JS.

[David Claypool]

ProLiant Essentials licenses are attached to a server for the life of the server. Licenses arre retired with a server. This model is in lieu of ongoing software maintenance fees which we don't charge.

[Jim Smith_18]

David, could you expand on how the license is "attached" to the server i.e. is it attached to the NetBIOS name, IP address, SID, machine s/n etc?

If the license can not be reassigned it would appear to be a very inflexible licensing model. For example if the server has merely been rebuilt with a different name and IP address, then all the hardware and software are identical to the original. This something I commonly do and could not afford to re-license all related software every time. JS.

[David Claypool · Accepted solution]

It is tied to the server's serial number. That system can re-appear after an OS or configuration change (e.g. Win2K to WS03) and still be recognized as the same, licensed system.

From http://www.hp.com/servers/manage --> License Options --> Questions and Answers

Q4. How long will my licenses last?
A4. Licenses are valid for the life of the hardware configuration on which they were activated.

Q5. Can I move my licenses from one target to another?
A5. For ProLiant Essentials Value Pack software, the licenses are not transferable. It is a violation of the EULA to do so. If you retire a licensed hardware configuration and replace it with another, you will need to purchase a new copy of the value pack for your new hardware. ProLiant Essentials Value Pack software are listed below or visit the ProLiant Essentials website.

ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack products, such as Insight Manger and SmartStart, and ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack Extras, such as the SmartStart Scripting Toolkit, may be freely moved from one server to another within the customerâ s environment unless otherwise restricted by the EULA. Any transfer to another customer requires HPâ s prior written approval.

[Jim Smith_18]

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

This is a serious disappointment, as in this case the initial hardware used was only temporarily while the full spec hardware was being shipped.

This does appear the HP are being very inflexible with this licensing!

JS.

[David Claypool]

Jim:

We evaluate the way we do licenses on an ongoing basis to make sure we are meeting customer needs. Our objective is to make it as simple as possible and not to have to charge ongoing maintenance fees or charging for upgrades. When we look at some of the complex licensing schemes in use in the industry, we don't want to go there.

For temporary, evaluation usage, HP SIM installs 2 30-day liceses for VMM that you can apply at will. Other eval liceses (such as PMP, which automatically licenses the HP SIM system and any pre-ML/DL systems, plus 5 licenses to apply as you choose.) are also readily available from http://www.hp.com/go/tryessentials

If you accidentally applied a real, purchased license to a system that you didn't intend to license, send me an email with the details addressed to firstname dot lastname at hp.com and I'll pass it by the product manager.

[Christopher Seary]

Not only is HP's licensing model inflexible, it is poorly implemented. My permanent licenses for VMM were automatically applied to a test machine without my consent after I assigned one of the demo licenses. Now I am told that this assignment is permanent. Where is the customer service or benefit in this arrangement?

[Rob Buxton]

I'm not sure how these licenses can be automatically applied.
If you have people assigning licenses where they shouldn't that's an internal issue.

The benefit for me of this licensing policy is that it is relatively cheap.
And as with the PMP licences care needs to be taken as regards the issueing of these licenses and their management.

[Christopher Seary]

This was not a people problem. The HP SIM License Manager will automaticaly, and without warning, deploy available permanent keys before allowing you to use a demo key. My mistake was loading the purchased key before the permanent destination was ready for licensing. I attempted to apply a demo key to the temporary test machine and the HP SIM License Manager used the permanent key instead.

This is by design as I found out too late in http://h50224.www5.hp.com/TechCenter_StaticArticle/31360/34167.pdf

I have never before encountered a license manager, or any software, that would render itself unusable without warning or recourse.