While Broadcom briefly discontinued the free version of VMware ESXi in early 2024, they officially a free edition starting with VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e in April 2025.
| Goal | Best Approach | |------|----------------| | | VMUG Advantage ($210/yr) – use ESXi 8 legally | | Home lab on old hardware | ESXi 7 free edition (still works great) | | Just try virtualization | VMware Workstation Pro (free) or Proxmox VE (free, open source) | | Test ESXi 8 temporarily | 60-day trial – no license needed at install |
, such as home labs and testing environments. While it provides a robust virtualization foundation, it includes specific software restrictions: Techstrong IT
If you are looking for a "key" to get started today, the standard method is the Evaluation Mode
Multiple Interface Options
USB Keyboard Emulation, USB HID or Port Powered RS232.
Reliable
The Mini offers the highest possible read reliability and the highest specification MTBF in the industry. vmware esxi 8 license key free link
Flexible
Mount with self-mounting adhesive strips or using the embedded threaded mounting points. While Broadcom briefly discontinued the free version of
| Current | USB: normal 30 mA; Suspend mode 300 uA RS-232: Quiescent 1-2 mA typical (continuous), transmitting 8-9 typical (5ms duration), peak at power on 12 mA |
| USB & RS-232 Size |
Length: 3.94” (100.0mm) Width: 1.28” (32.5mm) Height: 1.23” (31.3mm) |
| USB & RS-232 Weight |
Weight: 4.5 oz. (127.57 g) |
| TTL 100 mm Size |
Length: 3.94" (100 mm) Height: 1.23" (31.3mm) Width: 1.28" (32.5mm) |
| TTL 101 mm Size |
Length: 4.0" (101.6 mm) Height: 1.08" (27.4 mm) Width: 1.62" (41.1 mm) |
| Temperature | |
| Operating | -30 °C to 70 °C (-22 °F to 158 °F) |
| Storage | -40 °C to 70 °C (-40 °F to 158 °F) |
| Humdity | |
| Operating | 10% to 90% noncondensing |
| Storage | 10% to 90% noncondensing |
| Altitude | |
| Operating | 0-10,000 ft. (0-3048 m.) |
| Storage | 0-50,000 ft. (0-15240 m.) |
While Broadcom briefly discontinued the free version of VMware ESXi in early 2024, they officially a free edition starting with VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 3e in April 2025.
| Goal | Best Approach | |------|----------------| | | VMUG Advantage ($210/yr) – use ESXi 8 legally | | Home lab on old hardware | ESXi 7 free edition (still works great) | | Just try virtualization | VMware Workstation Pro (free) or Proxmox VE (free, open source) | | Test ESXi 8 temporarily | 60-day trial – no license needed at install |
, such as home labs and testing environments. While it provides a robust virtualization foundation, it includes specific software restrictions: Techstrong IT
If you are looking for a "key" to get started today, the standard method is the Evaluation Mode
