Ever feel like you’re trapped in a constant loop, endlessly reliving the same challenges of infrastructure upgrades? Technology, like nature, operates in cycles. VMware vSphere 7, released in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, marked a pivotal moment, transitioning everyone into the web client and transforming how we managed virtual environments. However, the circle of life continues, and with Broadcom’s 2023 acquisition of VMware, coupled with the impending vSphere 7 EOL in October 2025, we’re witnessing a significant shift in the data center, while endpoints are also being disrupted by the Windows 10 EOL in the same month. These changes necessitate strategic reevaluation and proactive planning. Are there alternatives to this EOL cycle?
Understanding the Licensing Shift
Broadcom’s acquisition has streamlined VMware’s offerings into three core bundles: VMware Cloud Foundation, vSphere Foundation, and vSphere Enterprise Plus. This transition from 168 products to just three, combined with a mandatory move to subscription-based licensing, has significant implications. Notably, the replacement of vSphere Essentials Plus with vSphere Enterprise Plus, and the shift to per-core licensing with a 16-core minimum, demands a thorough reassessment of your licensing strategy. This change, along with the vSAN licensing being tied to capacity, requires that customers understand how they are utilizing their resources.
Hardware Considerations and Upgrade Planning
Beyond licensing, compatibility remains paramount. Develop a detailed project plan that accounts for both software and hardware upgrades. But consider the broader picture: the total cost of ownership (TCO). It’s not just the upgrade costs; it’s the hardware refresh cycles, the ongoing management, patching, availability, security, reporting, backups, disaster recovery, and overall upkeep. By moving workloads to the cloud or a hosted VMware environment, you could eliminate the burden of hardware compatibility, break free from EOL cycles, and shift your focus to strategic initiatives.
Testing, Validation, and Deployment
Once the implementation strategy is clear, focus on rigorous testing, validation, and deployment. Establish a test environment to validate your chosen solution, ensuring compatibility with applications and workloads. Thoroughly test backup and monitoring solutions, as these are critical for business continuity. Execute your upgrade or migration plan, closely monitoring progress and addressing any issues. Post-deployment, optimize your environment for performance and security. Proper optimization can increase VM performance and decrease costs.
Breaking the Cycle
The VMware vSphere 7 EOL, coupled with the Broadcom acquisition, presents a great opportunity to take a step back and reevaluate the infrastructure strategy. It’s not just about surviving the EOL; it’s about infrastructure strategy going forward. By considering cloud and InterVision hosted VMware solutions, and by leveraging our expertise in VMware subscription assessments, you can elevate the discussion from hardware upgrades and EOL deadlines to infrastructure strategy, freeing up resources and focusing on innovation. As your trusted partner, we offer the expertise and support you need to navigate this transition and embrace a long-term solution.
Don’t let the EOL deadline or the licensing changes dictate your future. Contact us today for a consultation and explore how we can help you assess the best strategy for you and build a future-ready infrastructure. Let’s discuss your options.
