There are 3 different companies, each independent, each has a server with one CPU and at most it can install a second CPU.
Can one of these companies purchase an ESXi Essential license and activate it on the servers of the other two?
The ownership of the license obviously remains with the first company.
No.
As soon as you "rent" VMs and giving the possibility about Full Control of the VM to others that is not covered by the EULA. Thats where VSPP, vCloudAir comes into the game.
Btw. youre speaking of a 470,- Essentials bundle and 62,- subscription.
Regards,
Joerg
In Italy, the association of companies that do not have a corporate link between them is quite widespread.
Company A buys services and Hardware & Software goods, which then must be installed in Companies B, C, D, ...
These companies pay A for this service.
Companies often all have offices in the same building, some even in the same room.
Regardless, it would a violation of the VMware EULA.