Clarify VMware vSphere branding and packaging changes for SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc (#37013)

- Add VMware vSphere branding clarification to azure-vmware.md include explaining
  that Broadcom's acquisition didn't rename vSphere but changed packaging/licensing
- Add VMware packaging and support scope subsection to supported-configurations.md
  clarifying that Azure Arc support depends on guest OS, SQL Server version, and
  Arc agent requirements—not VMware commercial bundles
- Add VMware FAQ entry confirming Arc is independent of VMware commercial bundles
- Update overview.md and prerequisites.md references from 'VMware clusters' to
  'VMware vSphere-based environments'
- Remove duplicate inline branding clarifications from overview.md and
  prerequisites.md that duplicated text already provided via the include chain
- Fix pre-existing typo: 'Lean more' to 'Learn more' in overview.md Related content
- Apply contractions and active voice per Acrolinx feedback and Microsoft Writing
  Style Guide across azure-vmware.md and supported-configurations.md
- Simplify support scope wording: remove redundant 'Microsoft support for SQL
  Server enabled by Azure Arc' phrasing where context is implicit

Co-authored-by: Mike Ray <15928587+MikeRayMSFT@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: twright-msft

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/faq.yml

@@ -130,6 +130,12 @@ sections:
           - Subscribe to Activity Log events for when usage records are not received when expected or when recurring billing starts or is happening.
           Review [Manage recurrent billing for pay-as-you go licenses](manage-pay-as-you-go-transition.md) for details. 
 
+  - name: VMware
+    questions:
+      - question: Is SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc tied to VMware vSphere Foundation or VMware Cloud Foundation?
+        answer: >
+          No. SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc is independent of VMware commercial bundles. It supports SQL Server instances running on VMware-hosted virtual machines that meet Azure Arc, operating system, and SQL Server requirements.
+
 additionalContent: |
 
      ## Related content

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/azure-vmware.md

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ ms.date: 01/24/2024
 ms.topic: include
 ---
 
+VMware vSphere remains the underlying virtualization platform. Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the vSphere product name didn't change; however, VMware updated how vSphere is packaged and licensed (for example, through VMware vSphere Foundation and VMware Cloud Foundation).
+
 > [!WARNING]
 >
 > If you're running SQL Server VMs in Azure VMware Solution (AVS) private cloud, follow the steps in [Deploy Arc-enabled Azure VMware Solution](/azure/azure-vmware/deploy-arc-for-azure-vmware-solution) to enable.

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/includes/supported-configurations.md

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ ms.topic: include
 
 On Windows, .NET Framework 4.7.2 and later.
 
-This requirement begins with extension version `1.1.2504.99` (November, 14 2023 release). Without this version, the extension might not function as intended. Windows Server 2012 R2 does not come with .NET Framework 4.7.2 by default and must be updated accordingly.
+This requirement begins with extension version `1.1.2504.99` (November, 14 2023 release). Without this version, the extension might not function as intended. Windows Server 2012 R2 doesn't come with .NET Framework 4.7.2 by default and must be updated accordingly.
 
 ### Support on VMware
 
@@ -43,3 +43,15 @@ You can deploy SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc in VMware VMs running:
 
   - VMware Cloud on AWS
   - Google Cloud VMware Engine
+
+#### VMware packaging and support scope
+
+SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc supports SQL Server instances running on virtual machines hosted in VMware vSphere–based environments, including Azure VMware Solution.
+
+Support doesn't depend on specific VMware commercial bundles, editions, or packaging. The following requirements determine support:
+
+- The supported guest operating system
+- The supported SQL Server version
+- Azure Arc Connected Machine agent requirements
+
+VMware (Broadcom) defines VMware packaging, licensing, and lifecycle policies and may change them independently of Azure Arc.

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/overview.md

@@ -165,11 +165,11 @@ The [!INCLUDE [sssql22-md](../../includes/sssql22-md.md)] Setup Installation Wiz
 - [Install Azure extension for SQL Server from the command line](../../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-command-prompt.md#install-and-connect-to-azure)
 - [SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc deployment options](deployment-options.md)
 
-For VMware clusters, review [Support on VMware](#support-on-vmware).
+For VMware vSphere–based environments, review [Support on VMware](#support-on-vmware).
 
 ## Related content
 
 - [Learn about the prerequisites to connect your SQL Server to Azure Arc](prerequisites.md)
 - [SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc deployment options](deployment-options.md)
 - [Learn more about Microsoft Defender for Cloud](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-sql-usage)
-- [Lean more about Microsoft Purview](/azure/purview/register-scan-azure-arc-enabled-sql-server)
+- [Learn more about Microsoft Purview](/azure/purview/register-scan-azure-arc-enabled-sql-server)

docs/sql-server/azure-arc/prerequisites.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ ms.custom: references_regions
 
 An Azure Arc-enabled instance of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] is an instance on-premises or in a cloud provider that is connected to Azure Arc. This article explains those prerequisites.
 
-If your SQL Server virtual machines are on VMware clusters, review [Support on VMware](#support-on-vmware).
+If your SQL Server virtual machines are running in VMware vSphere–based environments (including environments licensed through VMware vSphere Foundation or VMware Cloud Foundation), review [Support on VMware](#support-on-vmware).
 
 ## Before you deploy
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ The [!INCLUDE [sssql22-md](../../includes/sssql22-md.md)] Setup Installation Wiz
 - [SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc deployment options](deployment-options.md)
 - [Install Azure extension for SQL Server from the command line](../../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-command-prompt.md#install-and-connect-to-azure)
 
-For VMware clusters, review [Support on VMware](#support-on-vmware).
+For VMware vSphere–based environments, review [Support on VMware](#support-on-vmware).
 
 ## Related content