VMware & Broadcom

What each platform is for VMware Cloud Foundation supports virtualized infrastructure and an integrated private-cloud operating model. Salesforce provides CRM applications and workflows for customer-facing sales, service and other business processes. They are not substitute editions of the same software, and a company may use both. Before choosing a platform or certification, define the real need: secure workload operations, managing customer data, automating a business process, or integrating several systems. That clarifies which product and team is responsible. VMware Cloud Foundation explained VMware Cloud Foundation combines vSphere virtualization, vSAN storage,…

Free ESXi and paid VMware products are not the same entitlement VMware ESXi licensing changed after Broadcom’s acquisition. Free ESXi was discontinued in 2024, but Broadcom made a free standalone edition of ESXi 8.0 Update 3e available in 2025. Its official support article, updated in May 2026, identifies what that edition includes and which enterprise capabilities are excluded. The free release is not an unrestricted VMware vSphere Foundation or Cloud Foundation subscription. Compare the intended workload, support expectations and required management functions—not just the initial price of a hypervisor. What…

VMware in 2026 needs a dated evaluation VMware remains an established enterprise virtualization and private-cloud platform. Broadcom’s acquisition changed how its products are packaged, licensed and managed, so a 2026 infrastructure choice should compare technical capability with contract terms, migration effort and the skills needed to operate it. It is not supportable to declare that all customers are leaving VMware or that every renewal carries the same percentage increase. Some organizations benefit from an integrated platform and established operations; others need less complex infrastructure. Assess actual requirements and quotes rather…

VCP-DCV knowledge and the 2026 VMware program VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) is a recognizable credential name from earlier vSphere certification paths. Its underlying skills in host administration, virtual networking, storage, high availability and troubleshooting remain useful. But an older VCP-DCV guide is not an authoritative description of the exams currently offered by Broadcom. In October 2026, candidates should select a role-based certification from the current vendor catalog before studying. The closest newer paths include VMware Certified Professional – VMware vSphere Foundation Administrator (VCP-VVF) and VMware Certified…

A study plan built around “VCP-DCV 2024” is no longer the right starting point in October 2026. Broadcom’s current vSphere-centered professional path is VMware Certified Professional – VMware vSphere Foundation Administrator (VCP-VVF Admin), earned through the VMware vSphere Foundation 9.0 Administrator exam, 2V0-16.25. Broadcom lists the exam at 60 questions in English, 135 minutes, with a scaled passing score of 300. That change does not make vSphere fundamentals obsolete. ESXi hosts, vCenter management, networking, storage, virtual-machine operations, availability, lifecycle management, security, and troubleshooting still matter. What changes is the product…

VMware certification can often be prepared for without paying for a formal classroom course, but only if the candidate has the right exam target, study materials and authorized practice environment. The cost decision should separate training, examination vouchers, hands-on lab access, any practice materials and the time required to become competent. Crucially, Broadcom removed mandatory training and other-certification prerequisites for common VCP, VCAP and Specialist certifications beginning May 6, 2024. An older article claiming that a paid course is always required is outdated. This change creates self-study options, not a…

VMware Certified Technical Associate (VCTA) material still exists, but candidates starting in 2026 should not assume that VCTA is the center of Broadcom’s current VMware certification strategy. Broadcom’s current certification catalog emphasizes VMware Cloud Foundation career credentials at the VCP and VCAP levels, legacy VMware certifications, VCDX, and Application Networking & Security certifications. That does not make VCTA knowledge useless. It changes how you should evaluate the credential. The better question is whether a VCTA target is actively available for your technology area and whether it leads toward the current…

Yes, VMware certification training can be free in some circumstances—but not for everyone. In the current Broadcom-era VMware Cloud Foundation program, eligible VCF Full Platform and Strategic customers and Broadcom Advantage partners can receive VCF Learning Entitlements that remove the training cost barrier for qualifying digital and instructor-led learning. VMware Explore 2026 also included event-based labs and certification benefits for attendees. Those are entitlement or event benefits, not a universal free-training promise. The certification program itself has also changed. Broadcom removed mandatory training as a prerequisite for VCTA, VCP, and…