VMware vSphere Essentials Kit for 3 hosts (with or without subscription?)

[AgralAlsan]

Hello,

I want to buy "VMware vSphere Essentials Kit for 3 hosts"

it is sufficient that I purchase the license or I need to buy the subscription of 1 year, 3 years or more packages for support?

What is the subscription?

If I find a package with even the subscription of 1/3 years ... expiry of that period what happens? The license no longer works?

If it is necessary, having at the moment 2 hosts .. how many subscriptions do I need?

Also, I find only "VMware vSphere 5 Essentials Kit for 3 hosts" with no indication of version 5.1.

It 's the same thing or should I look for "VMware vSphere 5.1 Essentials Kit for 3 hosts"?

thanks

[a_p_]

The Essentials Kit includes 1 year of subscription and is not offered without this. An active subscription allows you to upgrade the Kit at no cost to a newer version as it becomes available. If you decide not to renew the subscription, you can still continue to use the product, but won't be entitled to receive newer versions for free anymore.

Also, I find only "VMware vSphere 5 Essentials Kit for 3 hosts" with no indication of version 5.1.

Vsphere is licensed by the major version (i.e. 4.x, 5.x).

André