VMware VS4-ENT-PL-A - vSphere Enterprise Plus, Setup Manual

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After You Install and Set Up ESXi
9
After ESXi is installed and set up, you can manage the host through the vSphere Web Client and vCenter
Server, license the host, and back up your ESXi configuration.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“Managing the ESXi Host with the vSphere Web Client,” on page 267
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“Licensing ESXi Hosts,” on page 267
Managing the ESXi Host with the vSphere Web Client
The vSphere Web Client provides the simplest way to manage your ESXi host and operate its virtual
machines.
You can use the vSphere Web Client to connect to and operate vCenter Server by Web browser. To install
the vSphere Web Client, see “Install or Upgrade the vSphere Web Client,” on page 103.
Licensing ESXi Hosts
You can use the vSphere Web Client and vCenter Server to license an individual host.
For information about managing host licenses, see vCenter Server and Host Management.
You can set up bulk licensing using PowerCLI commands. Bulk licensing works for all ESXi hosts, but is
especially useful for hosts provisioned with Auto Deploy. See “Set Up Bulk Licensing,” on page 171.
You can also operate ESXi without licensing for a 60-day evaluation period, during which you can access the
full ESXi feature set. See “About ESXi Evaluation and Licensed Modes,” on page 124
About ESXi Evaluation and Licensed Modes
After you purchase vSphere licenses, VMware provides a serial number that you use to license ESXi hosts.
You can use evaluation mode to explore the entire set of features that are available for ESXi hosts, including
features that are not included in the license that you have.
For example, in evaluation mode, you can use vMotion, HA, DRS, and other features, even if you have not
licensed those features.
The installable version of ESXi is always installed in evaluation mode. ESXi Embedded is preinstalled on an
internal USB device by your hardware vendor. It might be in evaluation mode or prelicensed.
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