Free (not trial) version of VMware

[richhlo1021]

I have been using VirtualBox for years, but business environments use VMware so I need to learn how to use it. I only wish to use the free, non-trial version. I navigate the top tabs to [Products], down to [Free Products], and click on [VMware vSphere Hypervisor] after logging into my account. That takes me to the "Free VMware vSphere Hypervisor™ (ESXi)" page. Clicking the [Download] button takes me to the page to download and gives me a VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5 License.

After downloading, installing and applying the license I am told I have 60 days.

Am I being directed to the wrong version?

Thank you,

Richard

[rriva]

ESXi is a Server Hypervisor, doesn't have a gui to use as VirtualBox for example.

It depends on where you want to use it.

If you plan to use it on your notebook or desktop, consider use VMware Server.

Otherwise, ESXi is free but you have 60 days of trial of all enterprise feauture like the licensed version.

If you not plan to use enterprise feauture, you should make the registration on vmware site, to gain a free perpetual license for all the basic feauture.

Bye

Riccardo

[richhlo1021]

I did register, and added the license, which showed only 60 days. After the 60 days will my license still work, just with less features? or should I be getting a different license? I don't want to install and active Windows Servers, then find I can no longer access them because my I need to purchase a VMware license.

I would actually prefer to start with just the perpetual license and then not miss the other features later.

I am wanting to run the Hypervisor on a re-purposed desktop computer and then run virtual machines on top of that, then access those from other machines with the VMware Client.

Thank you,

Richard

[a_p_]

I did register, and added the license, which showed only 60 days.

In this case entering the license key did no work correctly. Either ESXi runs in a 60-day evaluation mode or it runs with the "unlimited" Hypervisor license key you got. Please login to the link I provided before, to find your Hypervisor license key.

Then use the vSphere Client and connect to the ESXi host. Select the "Configuration" tab and click "Licensed Features" in the "Software" box. There you can edit/enter the license key.

André

[Virtualinfra]

Go to www.vmware.com

click on products

go to free products tab

click on vmware vsphere hypervisor

click on user name and it give you option to register if not registered and login to that.

Once registered login to that and clickon license and download tab

under binary secetion download the iso image and license refer below screen.

This works like a charm to me.

if you download some other iso and provide this license it wont work.

Award points for the helpful and correct answer by clicking the below tab :smileyhappy:

[richhlo1021]

Virtualinfra, You supplied pictures to better describe exactly what i had written in my initial post. The license given following that proceedure only gives me 60 days.

Thanks any way,

Richard

[a_p_]

Once you register for the free Hypervisor Edition at https://www.vmware.com/tryvmware/index.php?p=free-esxi5&lp=default you will be assigned a free license key. If you don't get this by email, log in to the above link again. There you should find your license key (you may need to scroll down).

André

[EddieA]

ESXi is a hypervisor, which means you boot it on the hardware, not another OS, so unless you want to virtualise the OS you're currently running, this option won't work.

If you're looking for something similar to VirtualBox, then take a look at VMWare Server.

Cheers.

[richhlo1021]

EddieA, thanks for clarifing. I am wanting to run directly on hardware as opposed to in the OS like Virtualbox.

Thank you,

Richard