Broadcom Advances VMware Zero-Copy Sharing as Tesco Sues Over Contract Breach

Broadcom is developing a zero-copy buffer sharing mechanism for VMware virtualization on Linux, while the company faces a lawsuit from UK supermarket giant Tesco over alleged breach of contract. The two developments underscore the divergent pressures on VMware under Broadcom ownership.

On June 20, 2026, Broadcom engineer Rishi Chhibber posted patches to the Linux kernel mailing list introducing a new driver called "vmw_zerocopy_driver." The driver enables guest user-space applications to share pinned memory buffers with the VMware hypervisor peer using the VMCI datagram interface, eliminating an intermediate copy between the VM and host.

Zero-Copy Driver Details and Security Concerns

The proposed driver, enabled via the "VMW_ZC" Kconfig option, aims to improve efficiency and performance for VMware workloads. However, similar zero-copy sharing features in the Linux kernel have historically introduced security vulnerabilities. The patches are in early stages, and Broadcom has not disclosed a timeline for production readiness.

• Driver allows guest user-space to share pinned memory buffers with hypervisor peer via VMCI datagram interface.
• Avoids intermediate copy between guest VM and hypervisor, reducing latency and CPU overhead.
• Security risks from past zero-copy implementations remain a concern; patches are under review.
• Broadcom has not announced when the feature will be merged into mainline Linux or VMware products.

Tesco Lawsuit Adds Legal Pressure

Separately, Tesco filed a lawsuit against VMware in September 2025, alleging breach of contract. The case, reported by The Register, centers on claims that VMware failed to meet contractual obligations following Broadcom's acquisition. Tesco is one of the world's largest retailers and a significant VMware customer. The lawsuit adds to a growing list of customer disputes since Broadcom completed its $69 billion acquisition of VMware in November 2023.

Broadcom has faced criticism for abruptly changing licensing terms, ending perpetual licenses, and raising prices for some customers. The Tesco case could set a precedent for how courts interpret VMware's post-acquisition contracts. Neither Broadcom nor Tesco has commented publicly on the litigation.

What comes next: The zero-copy driver patches will likely undergo several rounds of review on the kernel mailing list before any potential merge. Broadcom's ability to balance technical innovation with customer trust will be tested as legal challenges mount. The outcome of the Tesco lawsuit may influence how other large enterprises negotiate with VMware going forward.