There has been significant confusion regarding ESXi pricing since Broadcom took over. Here is the current state of play.

For enthusiasts and lab environments, joining the VMware User Group (VMUG) Advantage program provides 365-day evaluation licenses for personal testing at a low annual subscription fee.

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One or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers.

In conclusion, downloading the VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO file is a straightforward process that requires a VMware account. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to download the ISO file and start exploring the features of ESXi 8.0.

Option 2: Downloading the Paid / Trial Version (Requires Subscription or Entitlement) Free ESXi: Restrictions and Limitations - NAKIVO

Since December 2023, all VMware products (including ESXi) are distributed exclusively by .

Even with a perfect guide, you might encounter some hiccups. Here are solutions to the most common problems:

The most secure and updated method to get the installation media is through Broadcom. Navigate to the Broadcom Support Portal .