VMware ESXi 8.0

Basic Information

• Model: ESXi 8.0
• Version: 8.0 (initial release)
• Release Date: October 11, 2022
• Minimum Requirements:
  • RAM: 8 GB (12 GB recommended for typical production environments)
  • Processor: Two CPU cores, 64-bit x86 processor with NX/XD bit enabled, hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD RVI) enabled for 64-bit VMs
  • Storage: 32 GB persistent storage for boot disk (HDD, SSD, or NVMe), 128 GB or larger local disk for optimal ESX-OSData support
  • Network: One or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers
• Supported Operating Systems (Guest): Broad range of Windows, Linux, and other operating systems. Specific versions are detailed in the VMware Compatibility Guide.
• Latest Stable Version: As of current information, updates to ESXi 8.0 include Update 3g (released July 29, 2025) and Update 3e (released April 10, 2025).
• End of General Support Date: October 11, 2027
• End of Life Date (Technical Guidance Ends): October 11, 2029
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly specified as an "auto-update expiration date," but support for updates and security patches ceases at the end of the General Support phase.
• License Type: Various licensing models are available, including commercial licenses and a free ESXi Hypervisor for evaluation and non-production use (though the free version has seen changes in availability).
• Deployment Model: Bare-metal hypervisor, installed directly onto physical server hardware.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 8 GB physical RAM; 12 GB recommended for typical production environments.
• Processor: Host with at least two CPU cores. Supports a broad range of multi-core 64-bit x86 processors. Requires NX/XD bit to be enabled in BIOS. Hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD RVI) must be enabled for 64-bit virtual machines.
• Storage:
  • Boot Device: Minimum 32 GB persistent storage (HDD, SSD, NVMe) for new installations. Upgrades to ESXi 8.0 require a boot device of at least 8 GB, with the ESX-OSData partition redirected to an alternate storage device if the boot device is small.
  • ESX-OSData: A local disk of 128 GB or larger is optimal for ESX-OSData, which consolidates boot partition, ESX-OSData volume, and a VMFS datastore. The device should support a minimum of 128 TBW and deliver at least 100 MB/s sequential write speed.
  • General Storage: SCSI disk or a local, non-network, RAID LUN with unpartitioned space for virtual machines. Supported SAS controllers or on-board SATA controllers for SATA disks.
• Display: No specific display requirements for the hypervisor itself, as it is typically managed remotely.
• Ports: One or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers.
• Operating System: ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor, so it does not run on top of another operating system.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: VMware ESXi 8.0's technical requirements emphasize robust hardware for optimal performance and stability. The increased RAM and storage requirements, particularly for the ESX-OSData partition, reflect a move towards more resilient and performant boot media and system storage. The deprecation of SD and USB devices for full ESXi installation highlights the need for higher endurance storage. The strong recommendation for UEFI boot mode over legacy BIOS also indicates a shift towards modern firmware standards.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: ESXi 8.0 Update 3g (released July 29, 2025) and ESXi 8.0 Update 3e (released April 10, 2025) are recent updates.
• OS Support (Guest): Supports a wide array of guest operating systems, including various versions of Windows (e.g., Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Server 2008 R2 to 2025), RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, FreeBSD, SUSE, Oracle Linux, Debian, and Rocky Linux. Some older OS versions like Windows Vista, XP, and certain Linux distributions are deprecated or terminated.
• End of Support Date: General Support ends October 11, 2027, with Technical Guidance ending October 11, 2029.
• Localization: Available in English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Non-ASCII input is not accepted by vSphere 8.0 components.
• Available Drivers: VMware provides drivers for a wide range of PCI-based SCSI, RAID, Fibre Channel, and Ethernet controllers. Compatibility is detailed in the VMware Compatibility Guide, and system vendors determine device compatibility with specific systems.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: VMware ESXi 8.0 offers extensive compatibility with modern hardware and a broad spectrum of guest operating systems. The support lifecycle provides a clear roadmap for planning. However, users should be aware of deprecated guest operating systems and the importance of consulting the VMware Compatibility Guide for specific hardware and driver support. The shift away from legacy BIOS and certain boot media types also impacts compatibility.

Security Status

• Security Features: Lockdown mode, host smart card authentication, vSphere Authentication Proxy, UEFI Secure Boot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support, vSphere Trust Authority, secure ESXi configuration and sealing, VM encryption, vMotion encryption, and robust firewall rules.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Regular security patches are released to address vulnerabilities. For example, ESXi 8.0 Update 3d resolved CVE-2025-22224, CVE-2025-22225, and CVE-2025-22226.
• Blacklist Status: No general blacklist status, but unsupported CPUs are disallowed for upgrades and installations.
• Certifications: ESXi 8.0 Update 3e is the Target of Evaluation (TOE) for Common Criteria, and the ESXi Entropy implementation supports FIPS 140-3 and EAL4 certifications.
• Encryption Support: Supports VM encryption and vMotion encryption. ESXi 8.0 uses OpenSSL 3.0 FIPS provider, requiring RSA key sizes of at least 2048 bits for signature generation.
• Authentication Methods: Supports local accounts, Active Directory integration (with local authorization recommended), and host smart card authentication.
• General Recommendations: Enable UEFI Secure Boot, configure TPM 2.0, encrypt vMotion traffic, configure persistent remote logging, and ensure proper firewall rules. Avoid storing logs on in-memory file systems for persistence.

Analysis of Overall Security Rating: VMware ESXi 8.0 offers a strong security posture with a comprehensive suite of features designed to protect the hypervisor and virtual machines. The emphasis on modern security standards like UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and FIPS-certified cryptography demonstrates a commitment to robust security. Regular updates address emerging vulnerabilities, and best practices for configuration further enhance the security rating.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmark scores are not readily available in general search results, as performance is highly dependent on underlying hardware and workload.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: vSphere 8.0 aims to enhance operational efficiency and supercharge performance for demanding workloads. It introduces virtual hardware version 20 for higher resource maximums, virtual NUMA topology, enhanced Direct Path I/O, and virtual Hyperthreading.
• Power Consumption: No specific power consumption metrics are generally available for the hypervisor itself, as it varies significantly based on the host hardware and workload.
• Carbon Footprint: No specific carbon footprint metrics are generally available for the hypervisor itself.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: vSphere 8.0 introduces significant enhancements over previous versions like vSphere 7.0, including increased scalability with vSphere Lifecycle Manager and improved support for modern hardware.

Analysis of Overall Performance Status: VMware ESXi 8.0 focuses on optimizing performance for enterprise workloads through advanced virtualization features and improved resource management. While specific universal benchmark numbers are not published, the architectural improvements in virtual hardware and resource allocation suggest a strong performance capability, especially when paired with compatible, high-performance hardware.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for VMware ESXi 8.0 generally highlight its continued stability and robust feature set for virtualization. Strengths often include enhanced security features, improved performance for demanding workloads, and better scalability. Users appreciate the advancements in virtual hardware and lifecycle management. Some feedback points to the increased hardware requirements and the deprecation of older hardware and boot media types as potential challenges for those with existing infrastructure. The shift in support for free ESXi licenses has also been a point of discussion. Recommended use cases span from enterprise data centers requiring high-performance virtualization to homelabs, though unsupported configurations are not recommended for production environments.

Summary

VMware ESXi 8.0 is a robust, bare-metal hypervisor designed for enterprise-grade virtualization, released on October 11, 2022. It offers significant advancements in performance, security, and scalability over its predecessors. Key strengths include enhanced security features like UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 support, and FIPS-certified encryption, providing a strong defense against modern threats. Performance is boosted by virtual hardware version 20, supporting higher resource maximums and optimized resource allocation for demanding workloads. The platform also boasts broad compatibility with contemporary server hardware and a wide range of guest operating systems.

However, ESXi 8.0 comes with increased minimum hardware requirements, particularly for RAM and boot storage, and deprecates support for legacy BIOS and certain low-endurance boot media like SD cards and USB drives for full installations. This necessitates careful planning for upgrades and new deployments, especially for organizations with older infrastructure. The end of General Support is scheduled for October 11, 2027, with Technical Guidance extending to October 11, 2029, providing a clear support lifecycle.

Overall, VMware ESXi 8.0 is a powerful and secure virtualization platform well-suited for modern data centers and demanding virtualized environments. Its focus on security and performance makes it a strong contender for enterprise asset management. Users should prioritize hardware compatibility and adhere to recommended configurations to maximize its benefits and ensure a smooth operational experience. The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations; for up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.