VMware & Broadcom
VMware licensing changed when Broadcom completed its acquisition in late 2023: perpetual licenses and most standalone products ended, replaced by per-core subscriptions sold in bundles such as VMware Cloud Foundation and vSphere Foundation. Articles here cover the core-count rules, renewal quotes, support for existing perpetual licenses, the effect on Oracle and Microsoft licensing in VMware clusters, and the cost of moving to Hyper-V, Nutanix or another platform.
RVTools Download and Licensing Guide: Cores, Hosts and VMs
Where to download RVTools safely now that Dell owns it, how to export it, and which vHost, vInfo and vCPU…
VMware vs Hyper-V: Licensing, Features and Migration Compared
Hyper-V has no hypervisor licence of its own; it rides on Windows Server Datacenter, unlimited VMs included. VMware, under Broadcom,…
SQL Server on VMware: Licensing the Host, the VM or the Cluster
SQL Server on VMware can be licensed per VM, per host, or per cluster, and only one of the three,…
VMware Broadcom Stay vs Exit Is a Priced Decision
Stay on VMware or leave Broadcom only after you price perpetual versus VCF, the support path, portable VCF on AVS, and third-party cover against this estate.
Why Portable VCF Turns AVS Into Two Counterparties
Microsoft Learn: new AVS nodes need portable VCF from Broadcom. PAYG license-included must move by 31 October 2026. Count hosts before you buy.
The Hidden Cost of Leaving Broadcom Without a File
Allstate’s Broadcom dockets show the audit clock starts when you say you are leaving. Match leftover licenses before the notice, not after the uninstall.
VMware Exit Support Is a Priced Option, Not a Renewal
T-Mobile’s 2023 VMware deal bought perpetual licenses plus a $5.29m support option through August 2026. Broadcom refused. Price the path before cover ends.
Why Included XenServer 9 Is Still a Bundle Cost
XenServer 9 is included in CPL, UHMC, and CPC (up to 10,000 sockets). Included is not free. Cost the Citrix bundle against the VMware bill before you switch.
HPE VM Essentials Free Year: Dual-Run Still Costs
HPE offers a free first year of VM Essentials plus $1 Zerto to cut dual-run cost off VMware. Year zero is not TCO. Price Broadcom through cutover and year two.
A Five-Year VCF Stay Is Still a Priced Decision
LSEG signed five years of VMware Cloud Foundation. Price undisclosed. Professional services for VCF 9.0. What SAM should cost before you copy the stay.
VCF Switching Cost Is the License Question
Broadcom sells VMware Cloud Foundation as a suite. There is no one-for-one swap. Stay, shrink, or exit. SAM should price all three on this estate first.
Why Your VMware Exit Needs a License Position First
Western Union is moving 900–1,200 apps off VMware. Cloud Foundation cost, not a bake-off. What SAM should lock before you pick a destination.
Why Shrinking VMware Usage Can Raise Your Unit Price
Virtified found 48% of VMware customers plan to cut usage by 2028. VCF bundling, the 8.x support clock, and why a shrink is not last year’s unit price.
Why the CISPE Filing Is Not Your VMware License Position
CISPE asked the Commission for interim measures on Broadcom’s VCSP cuts. Bundling, upfront pay, potential-use commitments: what SAM should lock now.
Why a VMware Support List Is Not a License Position
A Delaware magistrate kept VMware v. Siemens in the US. Reconcile the support list to entitlement before you claim extended support or refuse an audit.
Why Your VMware CSP Invoice Is Not the Renewal Path
Broadcom closed the VMware CSP program after 26 January 2026. Coterminous is not a new commitment. Who can still sell, and what SAM should lock.
Why the GSA VMware Discount Is Not Your License Position
GSA’s OneGov deal discounts Tanzu, Avi, and vDefend up to 64% through May 2027. vSphere Foundation is not on the list. A framework is not an entitlement.
The Hidden Cost of VMware Perpetual Support With No Path
Tesco’s 2021 VMware deal still has no named support path. Dell, Computacenter, and Broadcom each tell a different story. What SAM should lock first.
Tesco vs Broadcom / VMware / Computacenter is turning into a landmark lawsuit
The case of Tesco vs Broadcom / VMware / Computacenter is turning into a landmark…
For Military VMware users: When Underwater Operations Meet Licensing Flexibility
Fun fact: VMware has introduced a new “critical” license designation to accommodate environments where continuous…