VMware vSphere Implementation¶
Aquisition of VMware by Broadcom¶
In 2024, Broadcom announced the closure of the VMware IT Academy program, terminated its partnership with NDG, and halted its acdemic licensing program. As a result, NDG is transitioning to Proxmox® VE as the the preferred backend virtualization platform for NETLAB+.
Since NDG has limited access to VMware software and licenses, future support for VMware is currently unclear. VMware will continue as an option as a backend to NETLAB+ until VMware releases a software version that breaks NETLAB+ functionality. If you wish to continue using VMware, we recommend that you use NETLAB+ version 24, which will be maintained until Debian 12 LTS reaches end of life in 2028.
Closure of VMware IT Academy¶
The VMware vSphere ICM and OSS Labs are scheduled to end on August 15, 2025. To get the full six months of lab access, you must redeem your VMware vSphere ICM and OSS access codes before February 15, 2025. All access codes and lab access expire on August 15, 2025. Due to the termination of VMware IT Academy by Broadcom, no refunds will be issued after March 1, 2025. After August 15, 2025 you will no longer be able to enroll, renew, or access the labs. The labs will be removed from the service and disabled. The last day to access and use the VMware vSphere ICM and OSS labs will be August 15, 2025. You must verify your rights and permissions for enrolling learners in these labs.
In our continued commitment to supporting learners and academic institutions, NDG is providing alternative virtualization learning options. The NDG Proxmox VE 8: Setup and Management labs enable academic institutions to transition from VMware while continuing to teach virtualization effectively.