Technology
Broadcom removes public VMware disk development kit downloads, disrupting migration tools
Hacker News reports that Broadcom intentionally ended public access to VMware VDDK downloads, complicating migration workflows.
The short version
- Broadcom removed public download links for VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK), affecting third-party migration tools.[Hacker News]
- Customers reported that Broadcom support confirmed the removal was deliberate and the library is no longer available for general download.[Hacker News]
- Companies like Microsoft and Red Hat have updated their guidance, warning users of restricted VDDK access and suggesting alternative workflows.[Hacker News]
Key facts
- Broadcom customer support tickets confirmed the deliberate removal of general downloads for the Virtual Disk Development Kit.[Hacker News]
- ShapeBlue documented on August 25, 2026, that VDDK 8 and 9 web pages were inaccessible and returning errors.[Hacker News]
- Microsoft updated its Azure Migrate documentation to warn users of VDDK access restrictions and recommend agent-based alternatives.[Hacker News]
- Red Hat noted on August 27, 2026, that users face download issues for its Migration Toolkit and that Red Hat cannot redistribute the files.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear whether Broadcom will introduce a formalized alternative distribution program for third-party virtualization vendors.[Hacker News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.