SERVER line in license should have "this_host ANY" Error Message Troubleshoot for Nexus 7000 Series Switches

Introduction

This document describes a problem encountered when you attempt to install a license on a Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switch, and provides a solution to the problem.

Problem

When you attempt to install a license on a Nexus 7000 Series switch via the install license command, the switch returns the this error:

Nexus7k# install license bootflash:MDSxxxxxxxx.lic
Installing license failed:
SERVER line in license should have "this_host ANY"

Solution

This error indicates that there is a formatting problem with the license file, usually with missing carriage return characters. In order to fix this problem, edit the license file with this procedure:

1. Open the .lic file with a text editor.
2. Copy and paste the file contents into a new text file.
3. Ensure the text is formatted similar to this:

   SERVER this_host ANY
   VENDOR cisco
   INCREMENT FM_SERVER_PKG cisco 1.0 permanent uncounted \
         VENDOR_STRING=<LIC_SOURCE>MDS_SWIFT</LIC_SOURCE><SKU>M9200FMS1K9-INTRL</SKU> \
        HOSTID=VDH=xxxxxxxxxxx \
         NOTICE="<LicFileID>xxxxxxxxxxx</LicFileID><LicLineID>1</LicLineID> \
         <PAK>xxxxxxxxx</PAK>" SIGN=xxxxxxxx

   Note: In the licensing software, carriage returns should be used after "ANY" and "cisco" before the "INCREMENT" begins.

4. Save the file as type all files (encoding ANSI).
5. Copy the new file to the switch bootflash, and attempt to install it again with the install license command.

   Note: With Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) software Releases 6.2 and later, the switch will automatically correct the license file formatting before it proceeds with the license installation when the install license command is executed with the optional format keyword. For more details, reference Cisco bug ID CSCtq89835 - License file should work even if processed through a MAC.