BROADCOM BLOCKS VMWARE EXIT WITH VDDK DOWNLOAD HALT

VDDK is critical infrastructure software that enables third-party vendors to build migration and backup tools compatible with VMware environments. By restricting access, Broadcom has effectively locked customers into its ecosystem—developers and enterprises now face barriers when attempting to move workloads to competing platforms. The withdrawal follows Broadcom's $61 billion acquisition of VMware in 2023. Since then, the company has implemented aggressive licensing changes and price increases that prompted widespread customer backlash. Vendors offering migration services, backup solutions, and disaster recovery tools all depend on VDDK to operate with VMware infrastructure. The restricted access forces organizations to rely on Broadcom-approved pathways or negotiate direct agreements. The decision has generated significant industry discussion, with 55+ comments on Hacker News highlighting concerns about vendor lock-in practices. Industry observers note this exemplifies how acquisitions can shift competitive dynamics and reduce customer autonomy in enterprise software markets.