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Forum Discussion

ndavis130_66197's avatar
ndavis130_66197
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Jul 11, 2017

Are there unique serial numbers/keys for Virtual Edition VMs?

We have always had a hard time tracking and inventorying all of our BigIP virtuals as there is no unique key that we can use. We have developed our own database for entering reals and virtuals but th...
BIG-IP
devops
inventory
LTM
virtual edition
Martin_Robbins's avatar
Martin_Robbins
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Jul 11, 2017

In our experience the registration key that is used to activate the virtual edition is then referenced by F5 for support and contract renewal as the last block from the key plus a Z in front of it.

 

e.g. if you activate the VE with the registration key from F5 PGAVG-LAYCA-BOJFN-IFBQV-EIGYQAR then for support cases and renewal it will be referred by F5 as the serial number ZEIGYQAR

 

As far as the virtual edition unique code, this is generated from the virtual instance UUID and MAC addresses but I don't know the exact way it is calculated but I am not sure that it is not used by F5 other than in generating the activation dossier to tie the key to the virtual instance.

 

If a virtual edition is moved or has a new UUID or in older versions the mamagent MAC address changes, then you will have to contact F5 support to unlink the registration key to allow for a new activation to the new instance.