VMWare to Broadcom

[totto]

Hey everyone,

Maybe not the first nor the last thread about, but I really struggle to transfer my data from VMWare to Broadcom. I tried some of the documents given by Broadcom but the user experience is not fluent (multiple outdated docs).

I couldn't find anything to create a support ticket nor contact support to ask for help, so here I am.

The task is supposedly quite simple as I'd like to see my products from VMWare to Broadcom (Workstation + Fusion).
Could anyone send me a link of a documentation that actually helped you?

Thanks and have a nice day

[Michal Di]

Well this is really bad, I've just got an update available notification in my VMWare Workstation Pro 17 about the new 17.6.0 version but it's really pain in the ... with Broadcom. As you've said, documentation is outdated, information is spread across multiple knowledge-base articles which makes no sense and is really hard to follow especially when URL links are not working. To get some meaningful information, I have to jump from one article into another and then into another, usually 3-5 times to get to a final doc. And even then I can't download the new update because of some stupid Site-ID which I apparently don't have because I've bought my Workstation from VMWare back then .... I am really considering to not to use this product anymore. This happens when 2 giant corporate companies join together... It's always a mess with a little benefit for the customer. No thank you Broadcom, look for your customers somewhere else, not me anymore ... 

[rsandri]

You are not alone in your observations and frustrations. Broadcom gets two thumbs down. They have laid waste to registered customers' access to support and downloads. My company will likely be dumping VMware if things do not improve drastically.

[sean weatherall]

Having followed the Broadcom instructions I also cannot see my Vmware Workstation 17 Pro subscription which means I cannot download the latest release which hopefully fixes the Linux kernel module issues I am currently having when trying to run 17.x on Ubuntu. According to the Broadcom site I have no subscriptions. Maybe we could start some class action to get our software or a refund? Its a shame that Apple moved over to ARM cpu's otherwise I could just use my copy of Parallels. I suppose Broadcom are not interested in small companies or individuals. Anyway will save me from renewing my subscription. 

[goldeneye_007]

The fact the merger was allowed to happen is a wonder. Back to the days of CA. The remains of VMware will be spun off or broken up and sold for parts within a few years. Smart move to look elsewhere.

[Chris Kaminsky]

> I couldn't find anything to create a support ticket nor contact support to ask for help

SAME.  I login to https://support.broadcom.com/ and used BROADCOM chatbot which asked questions-in-circles until it offered a [Open a Case] link which redirects to https://brcmsemiconductor-csm.wolkenservicedesk.com/auth-sso with "USER NOT FOUND" error.  😒

[Petri Simolin]

I am also having nothing, but issues after the vmware - broadcom change.

I cannot find my order history, unable to find my entitlements and when I try to open support case, it keeps redirecting between the portal and "Okta" (I assume this is support system). Okta says invalid token, redirects to portal, then back to Okta, again invalid token, redirect back to portal etc. forever. I am unable to download software which I have perpetual licenses to.

[Eugene Mayevski]

Okta is the authentication and authorization service, but the problem indeed exists, and the whole experience is completely negative. I needed an upgrade to Workstation, and I had to create a different account to get a "personal" version. Our corporate licenses are gone forever with no option to upgrade, as it seems. I am wondering how a new purchase will work once version 18 or so is released .... 

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Sincerely yours
Eugene Mayevski
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[Reinhard Rach]

Has anyone received a solution from Broadcom?

[LIAM MCDERMOTT]

Same here.  Just got off the chat bot/agent - was sent an avalanche of links that gave me the same experience as #2, and then also have had the same fun as #5 and #6.  And the 'Find your Site ID' page is broken.  Decided to call the support number, surprise surprise you can only talk to a human if you have a Site ID - which is exactly what I am trying to find out (also an old VMWare user here i.e. pre-Broadcom)

[goldeneye_007]

The only answer is to call Broadcom. The website is eternally broken.

If you didn't have any support on your previous licenses/SIte-ID, it's gone. Kaput.Nuked.

Broadcom completely abandoned any information that was not tied to support. Start over is the

answer. However, having said that, if you are an SMB or single user, good luck, they have no interest in you.

I would recommend looking into VirtualBox, it's the only viable replacement at this point. For servers you can look

into Proxmox or Nutanix. If you are Linux saavy, maybe a variant of KVM will work for you.

[Joseph Thomas]

Looks like I'll have to go another route. Maybe I should mention this lack of support to my company's purchasing department as I'm sure a large financial institution may have some influence on Broadcom's Support.

[wijgerden]

It is crazy how they did not provide a Site ID when they emailed us the instructions to go from VMware to Broadcom; they knew I had license(s) for VMware Workstation for sure, so all they had to do is provide a Site ID that would allow me to pick-up the information in Broadcom. But it is a joke... there is no response to formal requests to be issued a Site ID, calling to get one is not possible for me (not in the USA), their links are broken and show the page about "how to get a Site ID" isn't there... yep, it is that bad.

They claim the Site ID should be on your invoice... duh, that purchase was with VMware and you merged them into Broadcom.

[Joseph Thomas]

Similar Issue. I have a valid license for VMWare Workstation Pro from VMWare. Checked for updates for v17.5 and I'm directed to Broadcom site to download v17.6. I created an account on their site but without a site ID for a Personal Use product I'm not authorized to download the product. They are probably trying to get more money as part of a subscription. For personal use this seems ridiculous. Zero stars for customer service from Broadcom. 

[gary fargusson]

That seems to be the landing page.

Try selecting "My Downloads" on the left hand menu. From there, you can locate the VMware Workstation Pro selection.

I will agree that the interface is not intuitive.

[ErlandSommarsko]

I went through the same hoops as everyone else. When I first logged in, it was something about Semiconductors. Eh? Somehow, I eventually came to the VMWare section. Went to My Downloads, found that I was "not entitled" to VMWare Workstation 17.6. Seemed like I had to complete my profile. Started, but I was asked for my Enterprise Site ID. Found a page on how to get one, but then found that to talk to Customer Care, I needed a Site ID. And so on.

However, I was eventually to make my download. I selected the option "Personal use". And here I only had to go through "screening". That is, give details about my physical address. Of course, if you are using VMWare for anything commercial, this does not sound like a good option. In my case, I have the license on my company, but it's all for my personal lab environment. Well, I use a VM on my laptop when I present, but these are not presentations I get paid for.

[Mike Blaszczak]

When I do that, I'm told that I'm not entitled to download the VMWare Workstation Pro 17.6 upgrade.