Broadcom Kills Off Perpetually Licensed VMware Software, Leading to Layoffs
Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware in November 2023 brings sweeping changes to the company, including the end of perpetually licensed versions of VMware’s software and a round of layoffs. While these changes have caused “unease” among customers and partners, Broadcom remains undeterred.
The End of ESXi: Alternative Options for Home Users and Small Organizations
One of the casualties of VMware’s acquisition is the popular free version of its vSphere Hypervisor, known as ESXi. However, for home users and small organizations, there is an alternative option – Proxmox Virtual Environment. This Debian-based Linux operating system offers similar functionality and is still actively developed. To make the transition easier for those feeling “jilted” by ESXi, Proxmox has added a new “integrated import wizard” that supports importing ESXi VMs.
The import wizard is still in its early stages, but the documentation claims it is stable. It is compatible with VMs created in ESXi versions 6.5 through 8.0, the most recent version available before Broadcom discontinued the software.
How to Prepare for the Transition
A wiki article from Proxmox offers helpful tips for preparing VMs for the move. These include uninstalling guest tools, noting network configuration settings, and disabling full-disk encryption.
It’s important to note that the free version of Proxmox VE does not include technical support, but there are subscription options available for those who need more stable versions and technical support.
