VMware vSphere 6.7 has been announced by VMware recently and there are many enhancement and new features are available with this release. Question is how we can obtain a free version of vSphere 6.7 for our non-production or testing environment.
When you activate ESXi with free ESXi license you will not be able to add ESXi server to vCenter. There are also limitations like maximum 2 physical CPUs can be used and 8 vCPU per VM. However, the good thing is the free version of ESXi supports unlimited cores per CPU and unlimited physical memory.
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 7.0U1 2020-10-06 Go to Downloads VMware vCenter Server 7.0U1a 2020-10-22 Go to Downloads VMware NSX for vSphere 6.4.8 2020-08-10 Go to Downloads.
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 7.0U1 2020-10-06 Go to Downloads VMware vCenter Server 7.0U1a 2020-10-22 Go to Downloads VMware NSX for vSphere 6.4.8 2020-08-10 Go to Downloads.
As earlier how we used to get free license for older versions same method we have the options to generate vSphere 6.7 license. License key with no expiration date can created free at VMware’s website. You can use the “Free Hypervisor” as identical to the paid version but with some software limitations.
Also Free version has some technical Spec and limitations , find the below .
Free ESXi cannot be added to a vCenter Server
No commercial support
Some API functionality is missing
Number of logical CPUs per host: 480
No physical CPU limitation
Maximum vCPUs per virtual machine: 8
If you have already a free key for ESXi 6.0 or 6.5, you can use the old key for vSphere 6.7 also.
How to Obtain Free vSphere License
Browse to VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 Download Page
You can Login with existing account or create an account
Esxi Free
To Register for ESXi you have to enter your personal information .After registration, you will receive a unique license key and access to the vSphere 6.7 binaries.
Esxi Free 5
Now Download VMware vSphere Hypervisor 6.7 – Binaries
You can install ESXi to your Hardware and ass the License to the ESXI host from web Client
Login as root with the Embedded Host Client (https://<ESX IP / FQDN>/ui/)
Esxi Free
5.Navigate to Manage -> Licensing
6. Click Assign license and enter your license key and start using the free vSphere 6.7