Re: Will ESXi stay as free product?

[Sheikha12]

Not able to download VMware vSphere Hypervisor(ESXi Only) along with free key

In last few week, this option has been gone, please confirm

 

Regards
Maqsood Sheikha
https://attariclasses.in/

[a_p_]

See https://blogs.vmware.com/cloud-foundation/2024/01/22/vmware-end-of-availability-of-perpetual-licensing-and-saas-services/

André

Moderator note: I've created a new topic from your reply to a 13 years old discussion.

[b.w]

Whats about already existing implementations with the free license ? will it be legally allowed to use them until esxi 8.0 EOL ?

[Mark Edwards]

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 wrote:

Whats about already existing implementations with the free license ? will it be legally allowed to use them until esxi 8.0 EOL ?

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I wondered the same. It was issued as a perpetual license, so I believe that should remain the case.

Even after ESXi 8.0 reaches EOL you should still be able to use it, it just won't be patched anymore.

[dgarciam]

Why do you say it won't be patched? what will forbid him to apply new patches, if they are released?

[Mark Edwards]

 - Note the part "Even after ESXi 8.0 reaches EOL........."

 

EOL = End of Life. I was merely highlighting VMware no longer releases patches after the product goes end of life (except for very exceptional cases)

 

HTH 

[Mark Edwards]

You are correct. ESXi is no longer offered as a Free Edition. Effective today (although the links may have been pulled sooner)

See - https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2107518

 

HTH

[MrGUD]

As a home user (nothing fancy / heavy), not happy about this.

Would somebody please point me to right direction, in case, i decide to stay with ESXI , to use it and be able to download patches, etc, what kind of licensing i am looking for?
As advised, with what i currently have with free ESXI works, dont need any extra features, etc. but, i am lost when it comes to licensing, what kind of license should be bought and approximately how much is it?

Any help / information, greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for your time.

[Mark Edwards]

 

 - This Veeam article explains your options fairly well. It looks like your cheapest option is a single host license for vSphere Standard, which will cost you $800 a year. Not great i know.

 

A more cost effective alternative (especially if you'd like to learn vSphere) is to take out a VMUG Advantage Subscription which only costs $210 a year, and gives you access to a range of VMware products. The catch here is that the license keys are 365 day keys. I suspect this will be the route most home users will take.

[aurora-chase]

I think it's time to take other platforms into consideration: https://www.vinchin.com/vm-tips/vmware-esxi-alternatives.html