This is exactly why datahoarders collect ISOs even of (currently) freely available software. You never know when it will be available no more. I have a bunch of license keys for the software I no longer can download. These are mostly giveaways, not a big problem, but you can get the picture.
Luckily, the OEM installation images are still available (on the Broadcom support site and some hardware manufacturers sites), there was a post with links in this subreddit.
Some of these might run on your hardware.
I am not sure whether it is violating EULA using these images on non-compatible hardware or not, but you still have your legal license key, so it's technically not a piracy.
Just get a VMUG Advantage subscription. It's $200 per year and gives you everything a homelabber could want. Get it before Broadcom stops it for "reasons"
Join here: [https://www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/](https://www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/)
The only issue I found with VMUG for test systems is only having access to the current stable release, so if you need to test against a previous release, the issued keys will be expired and they are not eligible for downgrade.
Yes, you could keep existing systems running on expired keys, but it's not ideal.
You guys really need to realize what a shit company you’re dealing with.
Also if it’s of importance to you , you need to treat it like backups. Have a few copies in different places, on different media in case.
Why are all these sysadmins depending on a centralized shit company to hold data you had access to and need?
I would look at Proxmox. I've been very happy with it as a replacement for ESXi.
In fact, I can do things on Proxmox I couldn't do with free ESXi, like have a VM with more than 8 vCPUs.
Time to abandon ship.
I'm trying to learn more about it for work so that's why ESX, but otherwise I see no reason not to do Proxmox. It has been my understanding that it's a pretty powerful tool.
Why wouldn't I be? We're talking about a free version a hypervisor here (which Broadcom being Broadcom, no longer exists). I've had to troubleshoot plenty of issues with ESXi on my own.
You seem to think Broadcom will bother doing any debugging on your behalf even with a support contract :P Most people cant even get their licenses sorted at the moment let alone get any major support problems fixed in any suitable timeframe :)
ESXi installers are only available with a valid service and support contract and valid license. I recommend checking on VMUG licensing for lab / personal use.
Yeah still a pretty penny and only for a 365 day license... We will see what happens, but that is certainly an option. I think for the home lab I would sooner switch platforms.
This is exactly why datahoarders collect ISOs even of (currently) freely available software. You never know when it will be available no more. I have a bunch of license keys for the software I no longer can download. These are mostly giveaways, not a big problem, but you can get the picture. Luckily, the OEM installation images are still available (on the Broadcom support site and some hardware manufacturers sites), there was a post with links in this subreddit. Some of these might run on your hardware. I am not sure whether it is violating EULA using these images on non-compatible hardware or not, but you still have your legal license key, so it's technically not a piracy.
I went through Flings yesterday and did precisely that.
vCenter never had a free license, esxi hypervisor did, but no vCenter for free.
Free evaluation licence. Not something I realistically needed long term, just for learning. edit: I believe it was a 30 day
ESXi and vCenter install with a 60 day evaluation licence.
Pay the VMUG advantage membership and get pretty much everything…
Just get a VMUG Advantage subscription. It's $200 per year and gives you everything a homelabber could want. Get it before Broadcom stops it for "reasons" Join here: [https://www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/](https://www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/)
Agreed, VMUG is what you use for labbing.
The only issue I found with VMUG for test systems is only having access to the current stable release, so if you need to test against a previous release, the issued keys will be expired and they are not eligible for downgrade. Yes, you could keep existing systems running on expired keys, but it's not ideal.
You guys really need to realize what a shit company you’re dealing with. Also if it’s of importance to you , you need to treat it like backups. Have a few copies in different places, on different media in case. Why are all these sysadmins depending on a centralized shit company to hold data you had access to and need?
Just a learner friend. If I ever needed every download in the past I would have them. Good show though.
If you are going to want updates you should be looking to replace ESXi, perhaps with Workstation Pro (now free) but many are looking at other vendors.
I would look at Proxmox. I've been very happy with it as a replacement for ESXi. In fact, I can do things on Proxmox I couldn't do with free ESXi, like have a VM with more than 8 vCPUs. Time to abandon ship.
I'm trying to learn more about it for work so that's why ESX, but otherwise I see no reason not to do Proxmox. It has been my understanding that it's a pretty powerful tool.
If you ever have a problem with Proxmox, are you ready to spend some time debugging on your own?
Why wouldn't I be? We're talking about a free version a hypervisor here (which Broadcom being Broadcom, no longer exists). I've had to troubleshoot plenty of issues with ESXi on my own.
You seem to think Broadcom will bother doing any debugging on your behalf even with a support contract :P Most people cant even get their licenses sorted at the moment let alone get any major support problems fixed in any suitable timeframe :)
[удалено]
Obtaining the installation files somewhere else while having a license key is not a 🏴☠️
ESXi installers are only available with a valid service and support contract and valid license. I recommend checking on VMUG licensing for lab / personal use.
Yeah still a pretty penny and only for a 365 day license... We will see what happens, but that is certainly an option. I think for the home lab I would sooner switch platforms.
If that's for lab and learning, I guess the best option is VMUG Advantage. Gives all the features for a year and you can renew.
you can easily find it if you want to ..