A cloud architect created a new delivery controller for a large VM farm and formed a cluster with the existing controller. The new controller returns an error when entering the license code. What is the MOST likely cause?

A cloud architect created a new delivery controller for a large VM farm and formed a cluster with the existing controller. The new controller returns an error when entering the license code. What is the MOST likely cause?

• A. A firewall is blocking the port on the license server.
• B. The existing license is for a lower version.
• C. The existing license is not supported for clusters.
• D. The existing license has expired.

Answer: (A)

Licensing activation relies on contacting a centralized license server to validate the entered license. In a cluster, every controller must be able to reach that license server to obtain a valid license. If a firewall blocks the port used by the license server, the new controller can’t communicate with the server, so the license code can’t be validated and an error is returned. This network connectivity issue is the most plausible cause in this scenario where a new controller is added to an existing cluster. To troubleshoot, verify that the port used by the license server is open from the new controller, check that the license server hostname/IP is reachable, and confirm the license server service is running and accessible. If the port is blocked, opening it or adjusting firewall rules should allow the license validation to proceed.

Licensing activation relies on contacting a centralized license server to validate the entered license. In a cluster, every controller must be able to reach that license server to obtain a valid license. If a firewall blocks the port used by the license server, the new controller can’t communicate with the server, so the license code can’t be validated and an error is returned. This network connectivity issue is the most plausible cause in this scenario where a new controller is added to an existing cluster.

To troubleshoot, verify that the port used by the license server is open from the new controller, check that the license server hostname/IP is reachable, and confirm the license server service is running and accessible. If the port is blocked, opening it or adjusting firewall rules should allow the license validation to proceed.