Editing VMware Licensing (section)

== VMware EVALExperience ==
Many years ago, VMware used to run a programme called the VMTN subscription, where you paid a small amount of money every year for a broad selection of licenses to be used in non-prod or home environments. It was ideal for homelabs! Unfortunately in around 2007 VMware pulled the programme, so between then and now the only ways to get legal free licenses were either through evaluations or perhaps becoming a member of the [https://communities.vmware.com/vexpert.jspa vExpert community].

Cue a [https://communities.vmware.com/thread/335123?start=0&tstart=0 campaign] started by [https://twitter.com/Mike_Laverick Mike Laverick] and supported by many community members, and finally in January 2015 VMware finally came to its senses and reintroduced the package, now renamed to "EVALExperience" and available for $200 per year as part of a '''[https://www.vmug.com/p/cm/ld/fid=11 VMware VMUG Advantage subscription]!'''

The EVALExperience pack includes:
*VMware vCenter Server Standard for vSphere 6
*VMware vSphere® with Operations Management™ Enterprise Plus
*VMware vCloud Suite® Standard
*VMware vRealize Operations™
*VMware vRealize Log Insight™
*VMware vRealize Operations for Horizon®
*VMware Horizon® Advanced Edition
*VMware Virtual SAN™

For the number of licenses you get and the fact that you can run these 24/7/365 instead of having to rebuild every 60 days, this is a great option. The VMUG subscription also includes a load of other benefits such as discounts on exams and training, so well worth seeing if your employer will even consider allowing you to expense it!