You can install and assign an NSX for vSphere license after the NSX Manager upgrade is complete by using the vSphere Web Client.

Starting in NSX 6.2.3, the default license upon install will be NSX for vShield Endpoint. This license enables use of NSX for deploying and managing vShield Endpoint for anti-virus offload capability only, and has hard enforcement to restrict usage of VXLAN, firewall, and Edge services, by blocking host preparation and creation of NSX Edges.

If you need other NSX features, including logical switches, logical routers, Distributed Firewall, or NSX Edge, you must either purchase an NSX license to use these features, or request an evaluation license for short-term evaluation of the features.

See the NSX License FAQ https://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/products/nsx/vmware-nsx-editions-faq.pdf

For more information about NSX licensing, see http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vmware-product-guide.pdf.

Procedure

  • In vSphere 5.5, complete the following steps to add a license for NSX.
    1. Log in to the vSphere Web Client.
    2. Click Administration and then click Licenses.
    3. Click the Solutions tab.
    4. Select NSX for vSphere in the Solutions list. Click Assign a license key.
    5. Select Assign a new license key from the drop-down menu.
    6. Type the license key and an optional label for the new key.
    7. Click Decode.

      Decode the license key to verify that it is in the correct format, and that it has enough capacity to license the assets.

    8. Click OK.
  • In vSphere 6.0, complete the following steps to add a license for NSX.
    1. Log in to the vSphere Web Client.
    2. Click Administration and then click Licenses.
    3. Click the Assetstab, then the Solutions tab.
    4. Select NSX for vSphere in the Solutions list. From the All Actions drop-down menu, select Assign license....
    5. Click the Add () icon. Enter a license key and click Next. Add a name for the license, and click Next. Click Finish to add the license.
    6. Select the new license.
    7. (Optional) Click the View Features icon to view what features are enabled with this license. View the Capacity column to view the capacity of the license.
    8. Click OK to assign the new license to NSX.

What to do next

Deploy NSX Controller Cluster.

If you are not deploying controllers, Update Host Clusters.