Leaving VMware just got harder after Broadcom pulled VDDK downloads
summary
Broadcom has unexpectedly removed public access to the VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK), a critical library used by many third-party migration tools. This move effectively creates a technical roadblock for customers attempting to move their workloads off the vSphere platform to competitors. By restricting this software, Broadcom is likely attempting to increase vendor lock-in and slow the exodus of customers to other virtualization platforms.
key points
- The VDDK is essential for agentless migration tools from vendors like Microsoft Azure, Red Hat, and Nutanix, meaning these tools may now require slower agent-based alternatives or specific partner relationships to function.
- Broadcom has provided no official public announcement or deprecation notice regarding the removal, with support staff reportedly telling customers the kit is no longer available for general download.
- Some migration paths remain open, such as the Proxmox import utility, which does not rely on the VDDK, potentially making it a more attractive alternative for fleeing VMware users.
who should read it
IT administrators and DevOps engineers who are currently managing VMware environments or planning a migration to other hypervisors. They will benefit from knowing which tools are affected and which alternatives still work.
discussion skeptical
consensus
Commenters generally view Broadcom's acquisition of VMware as a predatory move to extract maximum profit from a legacy product rather than innovating. There is a strong sentiment that the product's quality is being sacrificed for short-term financial gain, leading many enterprises to migrate to alternatives. While some still value VMware's technical superiority in large-scale management, the prevailing mood is one of betrayal and a shift toward Proxmox, Hyper-V, or cloud services.
top insight
The distinction between Broadcom as a chip company and the Avago business model is highlighted as crucial. The analysis suggests that Avago's core strategy is to acquire 'cash cow' businesses and milk them dry, which explains the current VMware turmoil as a consistent application of a corporate strategy rather than an isolated management failure.
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