IBM licensing in VMware vSphere environments

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of IBM licensing in VMware vSphere environments

    This guidance explains how the Software Asset Management (SAM) application supports IBM software licensing rules when deployed on VMware vSphere virtualization platforms. The integration with the IBM Authorized SAM Provider (IASP) Program enables accurate tracking and compliance for IBM licenses in virtualized environments.

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    VMware vSphere allows IBM software to run on virtual machines (VMs), and SAM manages licensing based on IBM’s processor-based licensing models, including processor value unit (PVU), resource value unit (RVU), and virtual processor core (VPC) licenses.

    IBM Licensing Models in VMware vSphere

    • Full Capacity Licensing: Requires licensing all physical processor cores on the ESXi host running the VM, regardless of the number of VMs or IBM software installations on those VMs. The total number of processor cores on the ESXi host determines the required license rights.
    • Sub-Capacity Licensing: Applicable only when VMs are managed by a configured VM manager. Licensing is based solely on the virtual cores assigned to the VMs running IBM software. The sum of virtual cores across relevant VMs determines the required license rights.

    Important notes:

    • If the sum of virtual cores exceeds the physical cores on the ESXi hosts, licensing reverts to full capacity based on physical cores.
    • If IBM software is installed both on a VM and its underlying physical ESXi host, licenses must cover both installations.

    Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers

    By leveraging the IBM licensing support within the SAM application and integrating with authorized SAM providers, customers can:

    • Ensure compliance with IBM licensing rules in virtualized VMware vSphere environments.
    • Accurately calculate required license entitlements using either full capacity or sub-capacity models.
    • Manage licensing complexities arising from virtualization, including mixed installations on VMs and hosts.
    • Configure VM managers within SAM to enable sub-capacity licensing and optimize license usage.

    This enables customers to optimize IBM software license management, reduce risks of non-compliance, and align licensing with virtual infrastructure usage.

    When you integrate the Software Asset Management publisher pack for IBM with Software Asset Management providers that are authorized to participate in the IBM Authorized SAM Provider (IASP) Program, the Software Asset Management application supports IBM licensing rules for VMware vSphere.

    VMware vSphere is a virtualization platform through which you can install and run IBM software products on virtual machines (VMs). The Software Asset Management application supports both full capacity and sub-capacity processor value unit (PVU), resource value unit (RVU), and virtual processor core (VPC) licensing for IBM software products in VMware vSphere environments.
    Table 1. IBM licensing models on VMware vSphere
    Licensing capacity Licensing model
    Full capacity

    When you install and run an IBM software product on a VM, you must license each processor core on the underlying physical ESXi host that is running the VM. If the physical ESXi host is running multiple VMs simultaneously, you must still license each processor core on the host regardless of how many VMs you install and run the IBM software product on.

    Use the total number of processor cores on the underlying physical ESXi host to determine the number of rights that are required for your license, based on the license type. To determine the number of rights that are required for a PVU or RVU license, see IBM processor value unit (PVU) and resource value unit (RVU) licenses. To determine the number of rights that are required for a VPC license, see IBM virtual processor core (VPC) licenses.
    Sub-capacity
    Note:
    You can use sub-capacity licensing only if you configure and specify a VM manager for your VMs. For more information on VM managers, see Specify the virtual machine managers (VMMs) for which you are tracking IBM licenses.

    You must license only the virtual cores that are assigned to the VMs on which you install and run an IBM software product.

    Use the sum of virtual cores that must be licensed across your VMs to determine the number of rights that are required for your license, based on the license type. To determine the number of rights that are required for a PVU or RVU license, see IBM processor value unit (PVU) and resource value unit (RVU) licenses. To determine the number of rights that are required for a VPC license, see IBM virtual processor core (VPC) licenses.

    Note:
    By default, the number of required rights is calculated using the sum of virtual cores. If the sum of virtual cores exceeds the total number of processor cores on the underlying physical ESXi hosts that are running the VMs, the number of required rights is calculated using the total number of processor cores on the hosts instead.
    Note:
    If you install and run an IBM software product on both a VM and the underlying physical ESXi host that is running the VM, you must also license the installation on the host.