Hello, as an expert in the field of virtualization technology, I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of whether VMware ESXi is free and what that entails.

VMware is indeed a leading name in the industry of server virtualization, and their product VMware vSphere Hypervisor, commonly referred to as ESXi, is a type-1 hypervisor. A type-1 hypervisor, also known as a bare-metal hypervisor, operates directly on the host's hardware to manage the hardware resources and allow multiple guest operating systems to run concurrently on a single physical machine.

VMware ESXi is a key component of VMware's vSphere suite, which is a comprehensive set of tools for managing virtualized IT environments. It's important to understand that VMware offers different licensing options for their products, and these can be a bit complex due to the various components and features involved.

Now, addressing the question of whether ESXi is free, the answer is not straightforward and requires a nuanced explanation:


1. Free ESXi Hypervisor: Yes, VMware does offer a free version of ESXi. This free version is functionally equivalent to the version that is included with the paid vSphere licenses. It allows users to run virtual machines on a bare-metal server without the need to purchase additional licenses. However, the free version does not come with the management tools that are part of the paid vSphere suite.


2. vCenter Server: vCenter Server is a centralized platform for managing VMware environments, including ESXi hypervisors. While you can use the ESXi hypervisor for free, vCenter Server is not free and requires a separate license. vCenter provides a range of management functionalities that are not available with the free ESXi, such as advanced monitoring, automation, and resource allocation.


3. Feature Restrictions: The free ESXi may have some limitations compared to the versions that come with vSphere licenses. For instance, there might be restrictions on the number of virtual machines you can run, the amount of memory per VM, or the performance and management features available.


4. Support and Updates: With the free version of ESXi, you might not receive the same level of support as you would with a paid license. Additionally, while updates are available, they may not come with the same priority or frequency as for paid customers.


5. Use Cases: The free ESXi is often suitable for small-scale deployments, home labs, or testing environments where the lack of advanced management tools and support is not a significant issue. For enterprise-level deployments, the paid vSphere suite with ESXi is typically recommended to ensure full functionality and support.


6. Licensing Models: VMware also offers different licensing models, such as Essentials, Standard, and Enterprise Plus, which come with varying levels of features and support. These are not free and are tailored to the needs of different-sized businesses.

In conclusion, while the ESXi hypervisor itself can be used for free, it's important to consider the broader context of your virtualization needs. The free version is a powerful tool for certain use cases, but for more advanced features, management, and support, you would need to look into VMware's paid offerings.

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It's no doubt that VMware is one of the leaders in server virtualization. VMware vSphere Hypervisor, or ESXi, is a type-1 hypervisor that enables virtual machine or guest OS to run over a bare metal system. ... VMware ESXi is a free hypervisor from VMware. You can use just ESXi hypervisor without purchasing vCenter.May 9, 2017read more >>