VMware Engine enables running VMware workloads on Google Cloud without refactoring or re-architecture.
What is VMware Engine?
Google Cloud VMware Engine is a managed service that provides the VMware Cloud Foundation stack (vSphere, NSX-T, vSAN) and HCX on dedicated Google Cloud hardware. Existing VMs can be migrated without changes.
Your teams continue working with familiar VMware tools such as vCenter and NSX Manager while Google manages the infrastructure: hardware maintenance, firmware updates, and patching of the underlying platform happen automatically. Since Broadcom’s licensing change in October 2025, Google Cloud no longer sells new nodes with an included VMware Cloud Foundation license. New capacity is provided under a Bring Your Own License model, where the VCF license is purchased separately directly from Broadcom.
VMware Engine integrates with Google Cloud services. VMs can access BigQuery, Cloud Storage, AI/ML services, and other GCP offerings. This enables gradual modernization: legacy applications run on VMware while new services use cloud-native technologies.
Core Features
- Managed VMware stack: vSphere, NSX-T, and vSAN as a service on dedicated hardware, including automated infrastructure maintenance.
- HCX migration: Live migration of VMs with minimal disruption, network extension without IP changes.
- Hybrid cloud integration: Access to Google Cloud services such as BigQuery and Cloud Storage directly from the VMware environment.
- Scalable node types: Standard and storage-optimized nodes for different workload profiles.
- BYOL licensing model: Separate procurement of the VMware Cloud Foundation license directly from Broadcom.
Common Use Cases
Datacenter Migration to Google Cloud
A mid-sized company migrates its on-premises datacenter to Google Cloud. With VMware HCX, VMs are migrated with minimal disruption. Existing backup processes, monitoring tools, and operational procedures remain intact.
Disaster Recovery for VMware Environments
A financial services company uses VMware Engine as a DR site for its primary datacenter. Critical VMs are replicated to Google Cloud, enabling significantly faster failover in a disaster than rebuilding hardware from scratch.
Datacenter Extension During Capacity Constraints
A retailer scales before the holiday season. Instead of procuring new hardware, they extend their VMware environment into Google Cloud. After peak season, nodes are decommissioned.
Hybrid Cloud for Regulated Industries
A hospital operates critical systems on-premises and moves less sensitive workloads to VMware Engine. The unified VMware layer simplifies compliance and enables consistent security policies.
Modernization Path for Legacy Applications
An insurer starts with lift-and-shift of legacy applications to VMware Engine. In a later phase, individual services migrate to Kubernetes. The hybrid approach reduces risk and time-to-value.
Benefits
- No application changes required: Existing VMware VMs run unchanged on Google Cloud hardware.
- Familiar tooling: vCenter, NSX Manager, and other VMware tools remain in use.
- Automated infrastructure maintenance: Google handles hardware and firmware management.
- Hybrid flexibility: Gradual modernization through access to native Google Cloud services.
- Scalable capacity: Nodes can be added or removed as needed.
Integration with innFactory
As a certified Google Cloud partner, innFactory supports you with VMware migrations to Google Cloud: from analysis through migration to ongoing operations, including guidance on the current BYOL licensing model.
Contact us for a migration consultation.
Available Tiers & Options
Standard Nodes
- Balanced compute/storage ratio
- For most workloads
- Flexible scaling
- Higher costs than cloud-native
Storage-Optimized Nodes
- High storage capacity
- For data-intensive workloads
- NVMe performance
- Higher cost per node
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Google Cloud VMware Engine?
VMware Engine is a managed VMware Cloud Foundation stack on dedicated Google Cloud hardware. You get vSphere, NSX-T, and vSAN as a service, can migrate VMs without changes, and benefit from Google Cloud infrastructure.
Are VMware licenses included with VMware Engine?
Since October 15, 2025, Google no longer sells new nodes with an included VMware Cloud Foundation license. New capacity is provided as Bring Your Own License (BYOL), with the VCF license purchased separately directly from Broadcom. Existing customers on older contracts may differ; details are available in the current pricing documentation.
How does migration to VMware Engine work?
VMware HCX enables live migration of VMs with minimal disruption. You can migrate VMs individually or in bulk. Network extension allows gradual migration without IP changes.
How does VMware Engine integrate with Google Cloud services?
VMware Engine VMs can access BigQuery, Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, and other GCP services via Private Service Access. Cloud Logging and Monitoring can be integrated.
How much does VMware Engine cost?
Node infrastructure is billed hourly or through Committed Use Discounts. In addition, since Broadcom's licensing change, a separate VCF license fee applies, purchased directly from Broadcom. Current prices and Committed Use Discount terms are available on the official pricing page.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Google Cloud (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Google Cloud.
