Buy VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9 license in 2025: complete per-core guide with vSAN included (1 TiB/core), NSX and SDDC Manager
Practical, up-to-date guide to buy a VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9 license with the best TCO: per-core model (minimum 16 cores per CPU), vSAN included 1 TiB/core, NSX, and SDDC Manager to automate the lifecycle—plus Aria (advanced operations) and built-in Kubernetes services. Includes core calculations, vSAN sizing, a purchasing checklist, FAQ, and common pitfalls. MSAdvance can supply and sell official licenses and support sizing, architecture, and implementation.
Need to purchase VCF 9 with confidence and clear ROI?
MSAdvance sells and supplies VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9. We deliver per-core calculations, vSAN 1 TiB/core included, 1/3/5-year comparisons, architecture (management domain + workload domains), and an implementation plan.
Executive summary — why VCF 9
- End-to-end platform: VCF brings together vSphere, vSAN, NSX, Aria, and SDDC Manager to automate the SDDC lifecycle end to end.
- Per-core licensing with a 16-core/CPU minimum: you license physical cores on each host (including BIOS-disabled cores).
- vSAN included 1 TiB/core: capacity can be pooled within VCF—ideal for dense HCI and workload consolidation.
- Full NSX: micro-segmentation, overlay networks, and advanced networking/security for multi-AZ, DMZ, and regulated environments.
- Kubernetes and Day-2 Ops: integrated Kubernetes plus Aria for observability and advanced operations.
- Portability and standardization: same stack on-prem and at approved providers with consistent governance and automation.
- Compliance reporting (v9): mandatory and periodic; failing to submit degrades management and suspends updates/support.
How VCF 9 is licensed: per-core metric
The calculation basis in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9 is:
- Per core with a minimum of 16 cores per CPU. If a CPU has 12 physical cores, you license 16.
- Countable cores: physical cores on the host are counted, including cores disabled via BIOS.
- Physical scope: license the hosts where VCF runs (management domain and workload domains).
- Storage entitlement: vSAN 1 TiB/core included (aggregated capacity across cores licensed with VCF).
- Typical terms: 1, 3, or 5 years; multi-year commitments often optimize effective cost.
Quick checklist for core calculation
- Inventory hosts, CPUs/host, and physical cores per CPU.
- Apply the 16-cores-per-CPU minimum and multiply by CPUs/host and number of hosts.
- If applicable, separate management domain and workload domains to forecast growth.
- Sum all cores for the total to license and the aggregated vSAN entitlement.
What VCF 9 includes and related options
| Product | Metric | Components / Entitlements | Buying notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9 | Per core (min. 16/CPU) | vSphere, vSAN 1 TiB/core, NSX, Aria Advanced, SDDC Manager (lifecycle automation), Kubernetes services. | Integrated platform for on-prem and approved providers; standardizes operations and security. |
| VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) 9 (comparison) | Per core (min. 16/CPU) | vSphere Enterprise Plus, vCenter, vSAN 0.25 TiB/core, Aria Base, integrated Kubernetes. | On-prem focus with a smaller feature footprint vs VCF. |
| vSAN (capacity add-on) | Per TiB of capacity | Extends the included entitlement when aggregated capacity is not sufficient. | For dense HCI or growth without increasing licensed cores. |
| vSphere 8 Standard / Enterprise Plus (continuity) | Per core (min. 16/CPU) | Standalone vSphere up to 8 U3. New vSphere 9 features arrive via VVF/VCF. | Path to VCF when automation, NSX, and governance are required. |
| Common add-ons | According to add-on | VMware Live Recovery (SRM/DR), VMware Avi Load Balancer, vSAN Add-on. | Compatibility and sizing based on use case. |
MSAdvance can supply VCF 9 and recommend the optimal mix (add-ons, terms, co-termination, and architecture).
VCF 9 vs VVF 9 vs vSphere 8
| Area | VCF 9 | VVF 9 | vSphere 8 (Std/Ent+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifecycle management | SDDC Manager (automates deployments, patches, upgrades) | Classic lifecycle | Classic lifecycle |
| HCI storage | vSAN 1 TiB/core included | vSAN 0.25 TiB/core included | Optional vSAN |
| Networking & security | Full NSX (overlay, micro-segmentation, Tier-1/2) | Advanced base functions | Standard functions |
| Operations/Aria | Aria Advanced (observability & governance) | Aria Base | Basic |
| Kubernetes | Integrated with NSX networking/security | Integrated | Optional |
| Portability | Consistency on-prem / approved providers | On-prem | N/A |
Calculations: cores to license and vSAN included
Base rule: license all physical cores on the hosts (minimum 16/CPU). The included vSAN entitlement in VCF is calculated as 1 TiB/core and is aggregated across cores licensed with VCF.
| Scenario | Cores/CPU | CPUs/host | Hosts | Cores to license | VCF (1 TiB/core) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced ROBO | 16 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 32 TiB |
| Corporate cluster (3 nodes) | 24 | 2 | 3 | 144 | 144 TiB |
| Dense HCI (4 nodes) | 32 | 2 | 4 | 256 | 256 TiB |
| Enterprise (6 nodes) | 28 | 2 | 6 | 336 | 336 TiB |
| IO-intensive VDI (5 nodes) | 24 | 2 | 5 | 240 | 240 TiB |
If the included capacity is not enough, add vSAN by TiB (Add-on), or consider whether increasing licensed cores and nodes improves overall TCO.
Sizing notes
- The included capacity is a license entitlement; usable capacity depends on design (FTT, RAID, ESA/OSA, compression/dedupe).
- Plan a separate management domain for upgrades without impact and better governance.
- For VDI/DB workloads, account for IO spikes and annual growth.
- If you use encryption, consider CPU and capacity impact.
Typical purchase scenarios (recommendations)
1) Mid-size company seeking standardization
Profile: 4–6 hosts, mixed workloads, need to automate patching and upgrades. Recommendation: VCF 9 for SDDC Manager, vSAN 1 TiB/core, and NSX for segmentation.
2) Enterprise with advanced network/security requirements
Profile: 6–12 hosts, micro-segmentation, overlays, and east-west control. Recommendation: VCF 9 (full NSX + Aria Advanced) for governance and compliance.
3) Hybrid multi-site / approved provider strategy
Profile: need for portability and identical operations on-prem and at an approved provider. Recommendation: VCF 9 to standardize the stack and accelerate deployments.
4) Orchestrated DR with strict RPO/RTO
Profile: secondary site or compatible cloud. Recommendation: VCF 9 + VMware Live Recovery for automated failover and non-disruptive testing.
5) Large-scale VDI
Profile: high IO and network consumption, morning peaks. Recommendation: VCF 9 for the 1 TiB/core vSAN entitlement and software-defined networking with NSX.
Key terms, portability, and compliance
- Subscription terms: 1, 3, or 5 years; multi-year optimizes effective cost.
- Portability/consistency: VCF standardizes operations on-prem and at approved providers, maintaining the same stack.
- Compliance reporting (v9): obligation to submit verified reports periodically; failure to report may degrade management features and suspend updates/support.
- Lifecycle & compatibility: plan upgrades from 7.x/8.x, verify HCL, drivers, and firmware.
- Co-termination & consolidation: aligning renewals simplifies budgeting and governance.
How to buy with MSAdvance (process & checklist)
- Discovery: inventory hosts/CPUs/cores, domains (management/workload), versions (7/8/9), and network/security requirements.
- Architecture: design domains, NSX networking (Tier-0/Tier-1, Edges), and security policies.
- Sizing: core calculation and vSAN rightsizing (included vs add-on) with 1/3/5-year scenarios.
- Offer: VCF 9 (and, if applicable, VVF 9 or continuity on vSphere 8), add-ons (Live Recovery, Avi, vSAN by TiB), support, and terms.
- Supply/Activation: license delivery, registration, domain bring-up, and best practices (ESA, Lifecycle, NSX).
- Optional implementation, Day-2 operations, and periodic health checks.
| Area | Item | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | CPUs/cores per host verified (includes BIOS) | □ |
| Domains | Management/workload separation and forecasted growth | □ |
| Network | NSX design (Edges, Tier-0/1, segments, micro-segmentation) | □ |
| vSAN | Included TiB (VCF) calculated and gaps identified | □ |
| Add-ons | Live Recovery / Avi / vSAN by TiB as needed | □ |
| Reporting | Automated compliance (v9) | □ |
| Compatibility | Hardware on HCL, validated drivers/firmware | □ |
Common mistakes when licensing per core
- Counting threads instead of cores: licensing is per physical core.
- Forgetting the 16/CPU minimum: 8–12-core CPUs still require 16 licenses per CPU.
- Under-sizing vSAN or NSX: verify that 1 TiB/core covers growth; size NSX Edges and segments from day one.
- Ignoring the management domain: mixing management and workloads complicates upgrades and governance.
- Not preparing the v9 compliance report: failure to submit degrades management and suspends updates.
- Misaligned renewals: co-terminating contracts eases budgeting and operations.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does VCF 9 include?
vSphere, vSAN (1 TiB/core), NSX, Aria Advanced, and SDDC Manager to automate the SDDC lifecycle, with integrated Kubernetes.
How are cores counted?
You license all physical cores per host with a minimum of 16 per CPU, including BIOS-disabled cores.
Can I expand vSAN capacity?
Yes. You can acquire a vSAN Add-on by TiB when the included capacity is insufficient.
What’s the relationship between VCF and VVF?
VVF 9 is the on-prem option with a narrower scope (0.25 TiB/core). VCF 9 adds NSX, Aria Advanced, SDDC Manager, and 1 TiB/core.
Do vSphere Standard/Enterprise Plus still exist?
As standalone editions, up to 8 U3. New vSphere 9 features arrive via VCF/VVF.
Is compliance reporting mandatory in v9?
Yes. It must be submitted periodically; failure to do so degrades management and suspends updates/support.
Official links
- VCF SPD (2025) — per-core metric (min. 16/CPU), vSAN 1 TiB/core, components, and reporting: Official PDF.
- VVF SPD (2025) — vSAN 0.25 TiB/core and terms: Official PDF.
- vSphere product line comparison — availability of v9 in VCF/VVF: Official document.
- vSAN design & sizing guides: Design & Operations.
- VMware Compatibility Guide (HCL): Official HCL.
Business-oriented conclusion
VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9 is the fastest path to standardize and automate the modern data center: 1 TiB/core in vSAN, NSX, and SDDC Manager reduce operational risk, accelerate upgrades, and strengthen security. With proper sizing and a reporting plan, VCF 9 improves TCO and prepares your platform for growth and hybridization. MSAdvance can supply and sell VCF 9, optimize architecture, and support implementation.
Want a fixed-scope proposal to buy VCF 9?
We deliver per-core calculations, included vSAN, domain design, a comparison of terms, and a technical implementation plan.
