An administrator has deployed a new VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) fleet.

In VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, the licensing architecture has undergone a fundamental shift to simplify the management of large-scale deployments. The legacy method of managing individual 25-character license keys for every component (ESXi, vCenter, NSX, etc.) has been replaced by a unified, subscription-based License File model managed through VCF Operations.

According to the VCF 9.0 Licensing and Administration Guide:

Register the VCF Operations instance with the VCF Business Services console (B): This is the mandatory first step. VCF Operations must be linked to the cloud-based VCF Business Services console (vcf.broadcom.com). This registration allows the environment to sync entitlements and report usage.

Add the license file from the VCF Business Services console to VCF Operations (A): Unlike previous versions that used keys, VCF 9.0 utilizes a "Secure License File" (or an activation code that retrieves it). For environments without direct internet access (Disconnected Mode), the administrator must manually download this file from the Business Services console and upload it to the VCF Operations interface.

Assign licenses to vCenter instances from VCF Operations (F): Once the license file is added to VCF Operations, the "pool" of capacity (measured in Cores or TiBs) becomes available. The administrator then assigns the license specifically to the vCenter Server instances. Documentation states: "License your vCenter, ESX hosts, NSX, VCF Operations, and other components by assigning the license to the vCenter instance." The vCenter then automatically handles the downstream entitlement for the hosts and integrated services.

Why other options are incorrect:

C: While NSX is licensed as part of the fleet, the administrative action in VCF 9.0 is to assign the license to the vCenter instance, which then licenses the "connected assets."

D & E: VCF 9.0 specifically "eliminates the need to manage multiple license keys" (except for certain legacy add-ons). The core fleet licensing uses a single License File rather than individual keys for every component.