System administrators can now size their virtual environments according to actual needs, as Broadcom eliminates a controversial licensing requirement.
Broadcom has officially rescinded the recently introduced rule requiring VMware customers to maintain a minimum installed base of 72 cores to qualify for licensing. The change applies to the entire EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), effectively restoring the previous licensing model.
What does this mean for sysadmins?
This policy reversal brings welcomed flexibility for IT teams:
✔️ There is no longer a requirement to license a minimum of 72 cores.
✔️ The 16-core per CPU licensing minimum remains in effect, as before.
⚠️ Renewals must still be completed before the subscription expiration date to avoid penalty surcharges.
A rollback driven by community and channel feedback
The original 72-core baseline rule sparked concern across the virtualization community, especially among smaller organizations and labs. The mandatory licensing floor was seen as excessive, increasing costs and reducing flexibility.
Broadcom’s decision to revert this change appears to reflect mounting pressure from partners, customers, and system administrators, who demanded a more realistic and adaptable licensing model. The company has acknowledged these concerns and moved to reestablish a model better suited to diverse infrastructure sizes.
Important: Conditions may change again
While this is the most up-to-date information, Broadcom notes that commercial conditions remain subject to change. Nevertheless, this clarification brings temporary stability and eases planning for upcoming renewals or new deployments.
Final thoughts for IT teams
For system administrators managing VMware-based infrastructures, this update is a relief and an opportunity to revisit budgets and capacity planning without the looming impact of inflated licensing thresholds. Staying in close communication with your licensing providers and following Broadcom’s announcements remains essential to navigating this evolving landscape.
