VMware's Free ESXi Hypervisor Returns: A Strategic Pivot or a Necessary Retreat?

After Broadcom's acquisition, VMware discontinued its free ESXi hypervisor, prompting user backlash. Recently, VMware quietly reinstated the free version in vSphere Hypervisor 8.0 Update 3e. This move is interpreted as a response to competitors' free offerings and a potential strategy to boost subscription sales. The article also touches upon the limited mainstream adoption of DPUs/SmartNICs, primarily concentrated among major cloud providers.