The transition to (specifically VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 and vSphere 9.0) marks a significant shift in licensing. The traditional 25-character license keys used in older versions have been retired in favor of a subscription-based model managed through license files. Key Licensing Changes in VMware 9.0
: This shift replaces perpetual ownership with a "rented" software model, ensuring Broadcom has recurring revenue and tighter control over activation. Licensing Modes in Version 9.0
: Search your inbox for "VMware Order Confirmation" or "VMware License." Keys for version 9 typically follow a 25-character alphanumeric format (e.g., XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX ).
. This file is generated and signed by Broadcom and is designed to centrally manage your entire infrastructure from a single dashboard. Unified Management
VMware offers various types of license keys for VMware 9, including: