We’re pleased to officially launch VMware Cloud Foundation usage meter v9.0 (VCF usage meter), previously branded as VMware vCloud Usage Meter, available from May 7, 2025.
VCF Usage Meter overview
VCF usage meter is a virtual appliance deployed on a vCenter Server instance within a VMware Cloud Foundation private cloud. It plays a critical role in metering product CPU CORE consumption across the VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) environments and creating usage reports. This release brings new metering capabilities, better security, and support for VCF 9.0 (when GA).
VCF usage meter 9.0 is a mandatory metering tool for all VMware Cloud Service Providers. It is specifically required for metering the CPU Cores Utilization under the program guidelines.
Mandatory Upgrade Timeline: 90-Day Compliance Window
VCSPs are required to upgrade to VCF usage meter version 9.0 within 90 days of its general availability. Failure to complete the upgrade within this timeframe will result in Broadcom no longer accepting usage data submissions from outdated Usage Meter versions, and eventual removal of authorization to act as VCSP.
In such cases, the partner’s environment will be flagged as non-compliant with the VCSP program requirements, potentially leading to billing discrepancies, support limitations, discontinued participation in the program and other program-related consequences.
To ensure uninterrupted operations and ongoing compliance, we recommend initiating your upgrade planning as early as possible to stay within the 90-day timeframe. You have until August 5, 2025, to upgrade your existing Usage Meter instances to the new VCF usage meter 9.0 version in order to remain compliant.
New Features Enhancements and Overview
Support for VCF 9.0 Metering
VCF usage meter 9.0 is fully equipped to support metering for the upcoming VMware Cloud Foundation version 9 a major milestone in the journey toward a truly unified, modern private cloud platform.
To ensure a smooth transition for VCSPs, we’ve kept the VCF 9.0 metering experience consistent with previous versions. Getting started is simple: just add your vCenter endpoints to the VCF usage meter, and metering begins automatically.
All your familiar reporting tools Hourly Usage Report (HUR), Virtual Machine History Report (VMHR), and usage billing feeds, continue to deliver 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.
Please note: License keys will be replaced by keyless, cloud-activated entitlements, streamlining activation and ensuring billing accuracy.
VCF 9 metering is built for simplicity, continuity, and scalability helping you unlock the full potential of VMware Cloud Foundation with confidence.
New OAuth app-based Authentication
Introducing a new layer of compliant security for uploading usage data to the VCF Business Services console OAuth app-based authorization for VCF usage meter 9.0. While data uploads have always been secured via HTTPS, and will continue to be so , OAuth allows a user to authorize the VCF Business Services console to access metering data stored in VCF usage meter 9.0, without giving The VCF Business Services console actual credentials..
With VCF usage meter 9.0, registration in the VCF Business Services console now automatically provisions a dedicated OAuth app and generates a unique token for each VCF usage meter 9.0 instance. VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs) use this token during the installation or upgrade of the VCF usage meter 9.0 appliance. Once installed, the VCF usage meter 9.0 securely communicates with the VCF Business Services console using this OAuth token.
This step is mandatory for VCF usage meter 9.0 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 align with their internal security policies.
All these operations are fully self-service and accessible via RESTful APIs. For implementation details, please refer to the API documentation.
vDefend add-on Metering Support and Overage Billing
To help VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs) fully leverage the flexibility of the consumption model, we’re adding metering and overage billing support for VMware vDefend add-ons now integrated into VCF usage meter 9.0.
Just like with core VCF products, VCSPs can now seamlessly consume the following vDefend Firewall add-ons on a committed contract and overage basis:
- VMware vDefend Firewall
- VMware vDefend Firewall with Advanced Threat Prevention
- VMware vDefend Advanced Threat Prevention Add-On
To start metering, simply add your NSX Manager endpoint to the VCF usage meter 9.0. Usage can then be tracked and managed through the Hourly Usage Reportavailable in the VCF Business Services console. Click here for more details on vDefend Firewall metering.
Already a VCSP with an active vDefend commit contract?
You can immediately begin metering by upgrading to VCF usage meter 9.0. Just ensure you’re using Broadcom license keys issued via the Broadcom Consumption Portal, these are required for accurate metering and compliant billing.
Important Notice: Ensure Compliance & Avoid Billing Issues with NSX Metering
Legacy VMware NSX license keys are no longer supported for metering, and their continued use can lead to inaccurate billing and potential non-compliance with the VCSP program. Additionally, outdated NSX software versions and expired license keys may inadvertently trigger vDefend metering due to existing firewall configurations.
To prevent unexpected charges and ensure accurate metering with VCF usage meter 9.0, we strongly recommend reviewing your NSX environment before proceeding. Stay compliant, avoid billing surprises, and optimize your VMware Cloud strategy!
Support for new VCF Business Services console for VCF Usage Meter Management
We’re introducing a major update for VCSPs: 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 experience.
The VCF Business Services console is tightly integrated with the Broadcom Support ecosystem, offering:
- A single sign-on experience across all Broadcom services
- Simplified user and access management via your Broadcom Site ID
- A seamless site-to-tenant integration, making it easier to manage entitlements and operations
- New Customer Hourly Usage Report (CHUR)
As part of this transition, all existing user accounts and registered VCF usage meter configurations from the current ‘VMware Cloud Services Console’ will be migrated 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 support here for further assistance and inform your support ticket number to your Broadcom representative.
Why is this Version of Usage Meter 9.0 important for the VCSPs?
It is imperative to emphasize that the VCF usage meter 9.0 fully supports the VMware Cloud Foundation Private Cloud for Core utilization metering for Broadcom license keys – its utilization is an absolute necessity for effectively metering the environment. Therefore, it is critical to either upgrade your current Usage Meter instance to VCF usage meter version 9.0 or implement a new instance that is running version 9.0.
To remain compliant, you will have 90 days, until August 5, 2025, to upgrade your Usage Meter instances to the new VCF usage meter 9.0 version.
Other Important Updates
VCF Business Services console Migration
Concurrently with the VCF usage meter 9.0 GA launch, the new VCF Business Services console portal will be GA. More details on this can be found on the VCSP Portal page under the “VCF Cloud Console Migration Updates” section.
Please refer to the following to learn more:
Note: In case you have issues trying to access this, please login to the Broadcom partner resources using your OKTA login, then access “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 VCF Business Service console Video.
Core Cap Update
Starting May 12, 2025, all VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) license key download quantities will be limited to a maximum of 200% of the committed quantities to continue to allow elastic business models and overage.
For example, say you commit to 10,000 VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) cores, from May 12, your total created license keys for this commit will be capped at 20,000 VCF cores.
This change will not decrease the number of cores already generated, but the cap will stop any VCSP from generating additional cores if the cap is met for that particular contract.
Upgrade Path to VCF Usage Meter v9.0
Verify the upgrade path to VCF usage meter 9.0 from here.
Other Useful Resources
To learn more about VCF usage meter 9.0, please use the resource:
Alternatively, have a look at the VCF usage meter Product Page.
You can download VCF usage meter 9.0 from here and look at the Interoperability with VCF here.
Click the below links to access:
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Upgrade to VCF usage meter 9.0, NOW….!
