Architecting a vSphere Compute Platform : Planning Host Deployment : 6.7 Impact of vSAN : 6.7.8 Licensing
   
6.7.8 Licensing
Each host is required to have a license key assigned despite the licensing mechanism typically being the VMware Cloud Provider Program (formally called VMware Service Provider Program or VSPP). Licensing keys are typically managed through vCenter Server, although they can also be locally assigned. If no appropriate product key is available immediately at time of deployment, a host will run in evaluation mode for 60 days prior to management capability being dropped from the vCenter Server.