New free ESXi version - Is it same code?

[Shawn Eveleigh]

I have downloaded the new free ESXi 8.03e and installed it.

When you look at the Licenses tab, it is already populated with a free version key and does not start in evaluation mode.

Question, is this the same code as if you downloaded it as a licensed customer?

In other words can I add this to a vCenter and consume a license and move forward as a 'normal' install?

[Syed Salman Hafiz]

Check this, https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere/8-0/release-notes/esxi-update-and-patch-release-notes/vsphere-esxi-80u3e-release-notes.html#:~:text=Broadcom%20makes%20available,the%20Broadcom%20Support 

Broadcom makes available the VMware vSphere Hypervisor version 8, an entry-level hypervisor. No Broadcom support is available for this offering and it is for non-production use. vSphere Hypervisor cannot connect to vCenter and therefore, cannot be centrally managed. You can remotely manage individual vSphere Hypervisor hosts by using the VMware Host Client. vSphere Hypervisor supports a maximum of 8 virtual CPUs per virtual machine. You can download it free of charge from the Broadcom Support portal.