This document provides information about recent changes regarding pre-installed VMware ESXi hypervisor on Cisco HyperFlex hardware platforms. Following its acquisition of VMware, Broadcom unilaterally terminated Cisco’s embedded OEM agreement. As a result, Cisco is no longer able to offer a factory pre-install option for the VMware ESXi hypervisor.

Effective April 19, 2024, Cisco HyperFlex servers will no longer ship with VMware ESXi pre-installed, and this option has been removed from Cisco Commerce Workspace (CCW). We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause to your deployment plans.

Cisco remains committed to providing customers with a path forward for new HyperFlex deployments and expansions, outlined below.

There is no impact to existing HyperFlex clusters with VMware ESXi. If you are planning to expand an existing cluster, you will no longer be able to order the VMware ESXi option for pre-installation in the factory. The servers will be shipped bare metal without any hypervisor pre-installed. You can continue with the regular install/expansion process using Cisco Intersight or HyperFlex installer, until the process pauses asking you to install the hypervisor. Follow the instructions documented in Non Pre-configured Cisco HyperFlex Systems to install the hypervisor before continuing with the install/expansion.

Following the documented steps will ensure a familiar experience when deploying and expanding HyperFlex clusters.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance during the ESXi installation process, our expert technical support team (TAC) is available to assist you. Continue to reach out to Cisco TAC through your usual channels for any installation or expansion assistance.