As an expert in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, I've been working with various hypervisors and virtualization platforms for many years. One of the most popular platforms in the industry is VMware's vSphere, which includes the ESXi hypervisor. Let's dive into the question of whether ESXi 6.5 is free.

VMware has a history of offering a free version of their hypervisor, ESXi, to the public. This free version is often referred to as the "Free Hypervisor" and is designed to provide individuals and small businesses with access to the core functionality of the ESXi platform without the cost associated with the paid versions. The free version is a fully functional hypervisor that allows users to create and manage virtual machines, but it comes with certain limitations compared to the paid versions.

**Step 1: Understanding the Free Version of ESXi**

The free version of ESXi, as mentioned, is designed to be a no-cost entry point into the world of VMware virtualization. It offers a solid foundation for those looking to experiment with virtualization or for small-scale deployments. Here are some key points about the free version:


1. Access to Core Features: The free ESXi hypervisor provides access to the core features necessary for running virtual machines.


2. Free License Key: VMware allows users to obtain a free license key for ESXi, which can be done through their website.


3. No Expiration Date: The license key for the free version does not have an expiration date, meaning it can be used indefinitely.


4. Binary Identical: The binaries provided with the free version are reportedly identical to those of the paid versions, which suggests that the performance and underlying technology are the same.


5. Limitations: Despite the similarities, the free version comes with limitations. These typically include restrictions on the number of virtual machines that can be run, the amount of memory that can be allocated, and the level of support available.

Step 2: vSphere 6.5 Specifics

Regarding vSphere 6.5, it is important to note that the information provided in the reference material dates back to November 2016. Since then, VMware has released newer versions of vSphere, and policies regarding the free ESXi version may have changed. It's crucial to verify the current status and offerings directly from VMware's official sources.

Step 3: Current VMware Offerings

As of my last update, VMware continues to offer a free version of ESXi, but the specifics, including any limitations or changes to the licensing model, should be confirmed by checking VMware's official documentation or contacting their sales or support teams. It's also worth noting that while the hypervisor itself might be free, additional vSphere features and management tools typically require a paid license.

Step 4: Conclusion

In conclusion, while the historical precedent suggests that ESXi 6.5 was available for free without an expiration date, and the binaries were identical to the paid version, it's essential to check the current offerings from VMware. The free version is a great way to get started with VMware's virtualization technology, but for more advanced features and support, the paid versions are necessary.

Step 5: Translation into Chinese

作为一名虚拟化和云基础设施领域的专家，多年来我一直在使用各种虚拟机监视器和虚拟化平台。业界最受欢迎的平台之一是VMware的vSphere，其中包括ESXi虚拟机监视器。让我们深入探讨ESXi 6.5是否免费的问题。

VMware有向公众提供其虚拟机监视器ESXi的免费版本的传统。这个免费版本通常被称为“免费虚拟机监视器”，旨在为个人和小型企业提供免费进入VMware虚拟化世界的入口。以下是关于免费版本的一些关键点：


1. 核心功能访问：免费ESXi虚拟机监视器提供了运行虚拟机所需的核心功能。


2. 免费许可密钥：VMware允许用户通过他们的网站获得免费的ESXi许可密钥。


3. 无到期日期：免费版本的许可密钥没有到期日期，这意味着可以无限期使用。


4. 二进制相同：据报道，免费版本提供的二进制文件与付费版本相同，这表明性能和底层技术是相同的。


5. 限制：尽管有相似之处，免费版本还是有一定的限制。这些通常包括对可以运行的虚拟机数量的限制，可以分配的内存量的限制，以及可用支持水平的限制。

关于vSphere 6.5，重要的是要注意，参考材料中提供的信息可以追溯到2016年11月。自那时以来，VMware已经发布了vSphere的新版本，关于免费ESXi版本的政策可能已经发生了变化。直接从VMware的官方来源验证当前的状态和优惠至关重要。

截至我最后更新的信息，VMware继续提供免费版本的ESXi，但具体情况，包括任何限制或对许可模式的更改，应通过检查VMware的官方文档或联系他们的销售或支持团队来确认。同样值得注意的是，虽然虚拟机监视器本身可能是免费的，但额外的vSphere功能和管理工具通常需要付费许可。

总之，虽然历史先例表明ESXi 6.5是免费提供且没有到期日期，并且二进制文件与付费版本相同，但有必要从VMware的当前优惠中进行验证。免费版本是开始使用VMware虚拟化技术的绝佳方式，但对于更高级的功能和支持，需要付费版本。

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vSphere 6.5 has been released and as known from previous versions, VMware provides a free version of their Hypervisor ESXi for everyone again. The license key can be created for free at VMwares website. It has no expiration date. The binaries you will receive as "Free Hypervisor" are 100% identical to the paid version.Nov 16, 2016read more >>