VMware vSphere FAQs

• Visit the VMware vSphere Upgrade Center for information about new features in vSphere. More detailed information on product features can be found at the VMware vSphere product page.
• Visit the website to compare the VMware vSphere Editions.
• Read the Pricing and Licensing Whitepaper.

VMware has developed an extensive list of compatible hardware. To review the list, see the Hardware Compatibility Guide.

Please review the Software Compatibility Matrix.

Please review the supported Guest OS page.

• Complete steps are provided in the VMware vSphere 4 Migration Checklist.
• Review the Migration Webcast.

A trail version of VMware vSphere is available for a complimentary 60-day evaluation period. Download it at the VMware vSphere Evaluation page for more information.

The VMware Multicore policy is available online.

Yes, you can do this through the VMware Website. Log in to your account, choose the Manage Support Contracts link. Then select the contract you wish to manage. From the Administrators tab, click on the "Add Administrator" button and add the email address of the person who you wish to be an administrator. Note that you cannot exceed the number of administrators allowed by your support contract and only Primary License Administrators have the permission to add or modify Support Administrators.

You may also view these step-by-step instructions. Read this FAQ for more information about the Primary License Administrator and the Support Administrator role

Customers with active SnS contracts will automatically be fulfilled their new vSphere licenses. To see which products you will be entitled to, please review the VMware vSphere Entitlement table. If you need to check the contract expiration date, visit the Contracts Portal.

Please contact your VMware reseller or request a quote via the Contract Renewal form.

Do an estimate on a particular serial number using the SnS Estimator.

• Please review the Licensing FAQ.
• Online tutorials are available as well.
• Review the Licensing Guide.

• You can combine licenses.
• You can divide licenses.
• You can add/delete Support Administrators.

Please review the VMware vSphere Licensing information in the VMware vSphere Upgrade Center.

If you still believe you still has not received licenses you are entitled to, please contact VMware Support or in the US/Canada, call 1 877 486 9273 or 1 650 475 5345 and select licensing (for outside the US/Canada, please find phone numbers on the Phone Support page). For fastest service, please provide the following information:

• Your email address
• Email address of the Primary License Administrator
• Customer Party Number
• Order Number
• Support and Subscription (SnS) Contract number
• Description of the problem

You can purchase VMware vSphere licenses and then downgrade them to VMware Infrastructure 3 licenses in the vSphere Licensing Portal. (See instructions for downgrading in the the Licensing Troubleshooting Guide.)

VMware will continue to support existing versions of the current products as published in the VMware Infrastructure 3 Software Life Cycle Policy.

Documentation is available online.

Documentation is found online for Support Contract Roles

Online demonstrations can be viewed to see what features are available.

New vSphere courses are available.

New vSphere consulting services are available.