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Virtualization and Liscenses Windows Server 2012

Answered Virtualization and Liscenses Windows Server 2012

  • Tuesday, January 29, 2013 10:10 PM
     
     
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    Alright so, I am working as an intern as a System Administrator, or what they call a Configuration Specialist and I have been planning to make a home server for various purposes in my free time to help me get comfortable with the way it works.

    My plan was to make a couple different servers for different purposes using a single host and then several guest servers(One for a project I am working on with several other people, one for my family, one as data storage and so on). I had wanted to do it on Windows Server 2012 but while trying to figure out what exactly each license entails and each little detail of what they allow, I have come to several questions I am struggling to find answers for.

    First, on the standard license, which allows for two virtual servers only, does that include the host server? So in other words, can I have a host, and two guest servers, or only one host and a guest server with a standard license?

    Second, does that only refer to "Server 2012" virtual servers, or any virtual servers. For instance, could I have Linux servers running to practice on and work on without extra costs, or does that license require I pay for each virtual server even if they are not windows?

    Third, on newegg there is a product called Windows Server 2012 Standard- Additional License, which costs 10 dollars more approximately, what is the difference between this, and the base license?

    And finally, on the new egg store, the Server options are marked as OEM, which the description in the product details seems to imply its meant for resale only. Does this mean as a home user I am not suppose to buy these copies?

    Thank you in advance, Scott.

     

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  • Tuesday, January 29, 2013 10:44 PM
     
     
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      Have you considered buying an MSDN OS subscription instead?  It seems to be a better fit with what you are planning to do. It works with physical or virtual machines for development or testing. You only need one full OS license for your host machine.

     

    Bill

     
  • Tuesday, January 29, 2013 10:58 PM
     
     
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    I have not, I am trying to research it more now, but I'm not seeing a whole lot of information on the details. From what I gathered so far, it is a subscription for the purpose of developing and testing software. Which is part of what I want to do, I did want to make something with a group of friends, but I am not sure the family oriented ideas I wanted to implement would be acceptable under the agreement. Also, I do not see any mention of how many servers it would allow me to create, but from your answer, I assume that I pick one machine to use and that machine can have any applications allowable from the MSDN OS subscription any number of times. Is this accurate?
     
  • Wednesday, January 30, 2013 2:49 AM
     
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    I will answer your questions as best I can, however for proper answers to all these you should call Microsoft Licensing who will be able to give you answers based on what you're doing specifically.

    First, on the standard license, which allows for two virtual servers only, does that include the host server? So in other words, can I have a host, and two guest servers, or only one host and a guest server with a standard license?

    You can have the host OS and up to 2 virtual instances running 2012 provided you use the host OS only for serving virtual machines. If you use the host OS for anything else, you can then only have the host OS and 1 guest VM running 2012

    Second, does that only refer to "Server 2012" virtual servers, or any virtual servers. For instance, could I have Linux servers running to practice on and work on without extra costs, or does that license require I pay for each virtual server even if they are not windows?

    You can install and run as many linux servers as you like, you don't need additional licenses to do it provided you have fully licensed the server.

    Third, on newegg there is a product called Windows Server 2012 Standard- Additional License, which costs 10 dollars more approximately, what is the difference between this, and the base license?

    Can't help never heard of it, if you need additional licenses on a server you can just buy another standard license. Might be related to OEM licensing.

    And finally, on the new egg store, the Server options are marked as OEM, which the description in the product details seems to imply its meant for resale only. Does this mean as a home user I am not suppose to buy these copies?

    You are only supposed to use an OEM license if you are an original equipment manufacturer.

    Remember to check your CAL license requirements.

     
  • Wednesday, January 30, 2013 5:01 AM
     
     
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      No, that isn't really how an MSDN subscription works. It allows you to download, install and test multiple copies of Windows software products (plus side benefits including tech support calls). The OS version gives you access to most Windows OS versions.

       What software you have access to is determined by the type of subscription you buy. What equipment, physical or virtual, you run the software on is up to you. As you say, the use of the software is restricted to use in development and testing.

     

    Bill

     
  • Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:54 AM
     
     
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    On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 05:01:11 +0000, Bill Grant wrote:

    ? No, that isn't really how an MSDN subscription works. It allows you to download, install and test multiple copies of?Windows software products (plus side benefits including tech support calls). The OS version gives you access to most Windows OS versions.

    The following statement from the original post precludes the use of either
    MSDN or TechNet supplied software:

    "then several guest servers(One for a project I am working on with several
    other people, one for my family, one as data storage and so on)."

    Those would all be considered to be production usage, not development
    usage.

    Paul Adare
    MVP - Forefront Identity Manager
    http://www.identit.ca
    Apple:  Typically, a device used to seduce men.  Usually equipped with
    display screens and/or worms.

     
  • Wednesday, January 30, 2013 10:58 AM
     
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    On Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:10:27 +0000, Epitagh wrote:

    First, on the standard license, which allows for two virtual servers only, does that include the host server? So in other words, can I have a host, and two guest servers, or only one host and a guest server with a standard license?

    The physical license is per CPU on the host, and then you get two
    additional virtual licenses for virtual machines. Note that this also means
    that the only software you can run on the host computer is software used to
    manage the virtual machines and roles such as DNS and/or DHCP. If you were
    to install SQL Server or Exchange Server on the host computer for example,
    you'd lose your two virtual licenses.




    Second, does that only refer to "Server 2012" virtual servers, or any virtual servers. For instance, could I have Linux servers running to practice on and work on without extra costs, or does that license require I pay for each virtual server even if they are not windows?

    You can run as many Linux servers as you like.




    Third, on newegg there is a product called Windows Server 2012 Standard- Additional License, which costs 10 dollars more approximately, what is the difference between this, and the base license?

    Sorry, no idea, you'd need to ask NewEgg about that SKU.




    And finally, on the new egg store, the Server options are marked as OEM, which the description in the product details seems to imply its meant for resale only. Does this mean as a home user I am not suppose to buy these copies?

    -- Paul Adare
    MVP - Forefront Identity Manager
    http://www.identit.ca
    The world will end in 5 minutes.  Please log out.

     
  • Thursday, January 31, 2013 11:48 PM
     
     
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    I agree that MSDN is a great tool (I'm a subscriber), but for much of what you are doing, you could accomplish with the evaluation copies of software from Microsoft.  In a lab environment, I tend to build and destroy a lot of machines.  Some have to stay around for a while.  An MSDN subscription allows you to activate up to 10 copies of Windows Server (this is a change in the past where it was basically unlimited).  Judiciously use those 10 copies for the machines that you know you will need to have for extended periods of time.  Otherwise, use the eval software.  It's good for 180 days, which is longer than I need for many of my systems.  And, when you learn how to automate deployment, even replacing an existing machine is not that onerous a task.

    .:|:.:|:. tim

     
  • Tuesday, February 05, 2013 3:14 AM
     
     
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    And finally, on the new egg store, the Server options are marked as OEM, which the description in the product details seems to imply its meant for resale only. Does this mean as a home user I am not suppose to buy these copies?

    You are only supposed to use an OEM license if you are an original equipment manufacturer.



    Remember that OEM software is tied to the initial hardware that it is installed on and has no repeat no virtualization rights