We are excited to officially launch VMware Cloud Foundation v9.0 Usage Meter (VCF usage meter), formerly known as VMware vCloud Usage Meter, available from May 7, 2025.
VCF usage meter overview
The VCF usage meter is a virtual appliance deployed on a vCenter server instance within the VMware Cloud Foundation private cloud. Plays a key role in measuring CORE product CPU consumption across VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) environments and generating usage reports. This release brings new measurement capabilities, better security and support for VCF 9.0 (at GA).
VCF Usage Meter 9.0 is a mandatory measurement tool for all VMware cloud service providers. It is specifically required to measure CPU core usage as per program instructions.
(Revised August 1) Mandatory Upgrade Timeline
VCSPs are mandated to transition to the VCF version 9.0 usage meter by the revised deadline of November 1, 2025, following its general availability. Failure to complete the upgrade within this time frame will result in Broadcom no longer receiving usage data from outdated versions of the usage meter and possibly the removal of your authority to act as a VCSP.
In such cases, the Partner’s environment will be flagged as non-compliant with the VCSP Program, which may result in billing discrepancies, support restrictions, termination of participation in the Program, and other Program-related consequences..
To ensure uninterrupted operations and ongoing compliance, we recommend starting your upgrade planning as early as possible to meet the timeframe. You have until November 1, 2025 to upgrade your existing Usage Meter instances to the new version of VCF Usage Meter 9.0 to stay compliant.
New features Improvements and overview
VCF 9.0 measurement support
VCF Usage Meter 9.0 is fully equipped to support metering for the upcoming VMware Cloud Foundation version 9, a major milestone on the way to a truly unified modern private cloud platform.
To ensure a smooth transition for VCSP, we have kept the VCF 9.0 measurement experience consistent with previous versions. It’s easy to get started: just add vCenter endpoints to the VCF usage meter and the measurement will start automatically.
All of your familiar Hourly Usage Report (HUR), Virtual Machine History Report (VMHR) and billing feeds continue to provide the insights you rely on. These reports are seamlessly integrated with the VMware Cloud Foundation Business Services console (VCF Business Services console) and fully support VCF 9.0 deployments.
Note: License keys will be replaced with cloud-activated keyless entitlements, simplifying activation and ensuring billing accuracy.
VCF 9 metering is designed for simplicity, continuity and scalability, helping you confidently unlock the full potential of VMware Cloud Foundation.
New authentication based on OAuth
Introducing a new layer of compliant security for uploading usage data to the VCF Business Services console OAuth-based authorization for the VCF 9.0 usage meter. While sending data has always been secured using HTTPS and will continue to be so, OAuth allows a user to authorize the VCF Business Services console to access measurement data stored in VCF 9.0 usage meters without providing actual credentials to the VCF Business Services console.
With VCF Usage Meter 9.0, registration in the VCF Business Services console now automatically secures a dedicated OAuth application and generates a unique token for each instance of VCF Usage Meter 9.0. VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs) use this token during the installation or upgrade of the VCF 9.0 Usage Meter appliance. Once installed, the VCF 9.0 usage meter securely communicates with the VCF Business Services console using this OAuth token.
This step is mandatory for the VCF 9.0 usage meter and cannot be bypassed for compliance and security reasons.
VCSPs can manage their OAuth token directly from the VCF Business Services console, including revoking access or rotating tokens to comply with their internal security policies.
All these operations are fully self-service and accessible via a RESTful API. See the API documentation for implementation details.
vDefend Add-on Support for excess metering and invoicing
To help VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs) take full advantage of the flexibility of the consumption model, we are adding excess metering and billing support for VMware vDefend add-ons, which are now integrated into the VCF 9.0 usage meter.
As with the core VCF products, VCSPs can now seamlessly use the following vDefend Firewall add-ons on a commitment and overage basis:
- VMware vDefend Firewall
- VMware vDefend Firewall with advanced threat prevention
- VMware vDefend Advanced Threat Prevention plugin
To start measuring, simply add your NSX Manager endpoint to the VCF 9.0 usage meter. Usage can then be monitored and managed via an hourly usage report available in the VCF Business Services console. Click here for more details on vDefend Firewall measurements.
Already a VCSP with an active vDefend Confirmation Agreement?
You can start measuring immediately by upgrading to the VCF 9.0 usage meter. Just make sure you’re using Broadcom license keys issued through Broadcom Consumption Portalare required for accurate measurement and compliant billing.
Important note: Ensure compliance and avoid billing issues with NSX metering
Older VMware NSX license keys are no longer supported for metering and their continued use may result in inaccurate billing and potential non-compliance with the VCSP program. In addition, outdated versions of NSX software and expired license keys may inadvertently trigger vDefend measurements due to existing firewall configuration.
To avoid unexpected charges and ensure accurate measurements with the VCF 9.0 usage meter, we strongly recommend that you check your NSX’s environment before proceeding. Stay compliant, avoid billing surprises and optimize your VMware cloud strategy!
Support for the new VCF Business Services console to manage the VCF usage meter
Introducing a big update for VCSP: VCF usage meter management is now hosted in the new VCF Business Services console, a unified platform built to streamline your cloud operations and support.
The VCF Business Services console is tightly integrated with the Broadcom Support ecosystem and offers:
- Single sign-on across all Broadcom services
- Simplified user and access management through your Broadcom Site ID
- Seamless integration between sites and clients to simplify claims management and operations
- Hourly New Customer Utilization Review (CHUR)
As part of this transition, all existing user accounts and registered VCF usage meter configurations will be migrated from the current “VMware Cloud Services Console” to the new VCF Business Services console platform. You’ll retain the same familiar workflows for registering VCF usage meters, generating reports, and leveraging new API integrations, now enhanced with a more unified and scalable interface.
- Access the VCF Business Services Console User Guide here
- Need help? Open a Broadcom Support Ticket here for additional assistance and tell your Broadcom representative your support ticket number.
Why is this usage meter version 9.0 important for VCSP providers?
It must be emphasized that the VCF 9.0 usage meter fully supports VMware Cloud Foundation Private Cloud for Core usage measurement for Broadcom license keys – its use is an absolute must for effective environment measurement. Therefore, it is important to either upgrade your current usage meter instance to VCF Usage Meter version 9.0 or implement a new instance with version 9.0.
To maintain compatibility, you will have until November 1, 2025 to upgrade your Usage Meter instances to the new VCF Usage Meter version 9.0.
Another important update
VCF Business Services console migration
Coinciding with the launch of the VCF 9.0 GA usage meter will be the new VCF Business Services GA console portal. More details on this can be found on the VCSP Portal page under “VCF Cloud Console Migration Updates”.
To learn more, read the following:
Note: In case you are having trouble accessing this, please login to Broadcom Partner Resources using your OKTA credentials, then go to “Learning@Broadcom” and search for “Cloud Console training for VCSP Pinnacle and Premier Partners” as detailed in the screenshot below.
Also watch the What’s New in the VCF Business Service Console video.
Core Cap Update
Beginning May 12, 2025, all download quantities of VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) license keys will be limited to a maximum of 200% of committed quantities to continue to allow elastic business models and congestion.
Let’s say you commit to 10,000 VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) cores, starting May 12th your total license keys created for that commitment will be limited to 20,000 VCF cores.
This change will not reduce the number of cores already generated, but the limit will prevent any VCSP from generating additional cores if the limit for that particular contract is met.
Upgrade Path to VCF Usage Meter v9.0
Verify the upgrade path to VCF 9.0 usage meter from here.
Other useful resources
To learn more about the VCF 9.0 usage meter, use the resource:
Alternatively, check out the VCF usage meter product page.
You can download the VCF 9.0 usage meter here and see VCF interoperability here.
Click on the links below to access:
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Upgrade to VCF 9.0 Usage Meter NOW….!