Some VMware customers with perpetual licenses cannot access security patches due to support contract issues with Broadcom, increasing their vulnerability to attacks. Broadcom has promised free security patches for supported versions, but access is delayed due to entitlement validation, leaving users at risk. VMware is working on a separate patch cycle for non-entitled customers, but the situation remains suboptimal amid ongoing security concerns.
Broadcom has stopped selling perpetual licenses for VMware products, as part of its plan to transition VMware into a subscription-based business. Existing customers with perpetual licenses can continue to use them but will eventually lose support. Broadcom aims to push customers towards subscriptions and is offering upgrade pricing incentives for those who switch. The move is part of Broadcom's strategy to grow VMware's earnings through a shift to subscriptions. However, customers and partners have expressed concerns about the sudden change and potential price increases.
Broadcom is discontinuing VMware's on-premises perpetual licenses and ending the sale of support and subscription renewals for such licenses, pushing customers towards subscription-based models. This move leaves customers with perpetual licenses without support or updates. Broadcom is also introducing a "bring-your-own-subscription" license option for VMware validated hybrid cloud endpoints running VMware Cloud Foundation.
