CCUM 10.5 upgrade to 12.5 on UCSC-C220-M4S with ESX 5.5

[AdamG73545]

VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 is expired and I wonder if I need that for 6.x upgrade. 

1. Is free license will work? 

2. VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 is needed for TAC case if any issue?

3. Can VMW-VS6 -HYP-K9 be purchased instead of VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 reneweal?

Thank you

[Nithin Eluvathingal]

1. Is free license will work?  You need to license the Vmware. 

2. VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 is needed for TAC case if any issue? You can Only Raise case if you have valid smartnet for your hardware. 

3. Can VMW-VS6 -HYP-K9 be purchased instead of VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 reneweal? If you renew the Smartnet for Be6K , it includes VMware license too.Once renewed  Place the  Vmware upgrade though MCE portal .

[AdamG73545]

So the free license will work for ESXi6.X ? I am confused. I dont see any special features. My BE6K has support but for unknown reason VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 is expired under the contract for Be6. I plan upgrade and wonder if I should cancel it until I receive VMW-VS5 -HYP-K9 or I can use free relicense for ESXi6.7 

[Nithin Eluvathingal]

You need versions 6 license if are upgrading to 6.X.versions 5 license won't work with v6. 

What you mean by free license  ?

[AdamG73545]

VMWARE offers Free license for 6.x version once registered:

https://communities.vmware.com/t5/vSphere-Hypervisor-Discussions/How-to-obtain-free-ESXi-6-License-Key/td-p/1382423

[Nithin Eluvathingal]

You can try the free license.. Be6K uses OEM license.

[sprintership-il]

in my case BE6 has smartnet but with expired VMWARE so I have no idea what to do now, just try free license for esx 6 or buy from vmware license 

[Nithin Eluvathingal]

If you renew the smartnet for Be6K, AFAIK the Vmware contract also gets renewed. Unless that versions has reached EOL.