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6 Replies Last post: Nov 5, 2009 4:15 PM by tom howarth  

Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License? posted: Nov 3, 2009 4:10 PM

Click to view scott_k2003's profile Enthusiast
scott_k2003
82 posts since
May 16, 2008
Did I read this right? To legally host a virtual desktop on esx you need a virtural desktop license??

Re: Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License?

1. Nov 3, 2009 8:27 PM in response to: scott_k2003
Click to view ihazanswers's profile Enthusiast
ihazanswers
75 posts since
Jul 21, 2008
Are you talking about Windows licenses for the OS or separate licenses
just to run virtual desktops?

If it's the latter and you are not using View Manager or any other
broker then you don't need licenses just to host those desktops.

Regards,

Mike

On Nov 3, 2009, at 7:10 PM, "scott_k2003" <communities-emailer@vmware.com

Re: Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License?

2. Nov 3, 2009 10:38 PM in response to: scott_k2003
Click to view tom howarth's profile Guru
tom howarth
7,351 posts since
Jul 25, 2005

Yes you do need a seperate license however it is not a full license. the version you need is called a VCED adn cost either $29 or $54, and is only available with a SA contract. the price difference relates to the Operating system you are utilsing as your end user device.

lower price equates to a full Windows based OS (XP, Vista, Windows7)

higher price equates to CE, Linux etc.

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Tom Howarth VCP / vExpert
VMware Communities User Moderator
Blog: www.planetvm.net
Contributing author on "VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure Security: Securing ESX and the Virtual Environment”. Currently available on roughcuts

Re: Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License?

3. Nov 4, 2009 4:42 AM in response to: scott_k2003
Click to view scott_k2003's profile Enthusiast
scott_k2003
82 posts since
May 16, 2008
Thanks ihazanswers.

Tom, just to clarify your above statement, the client based licenses (excluding the actual OS license) are only if you are intending to use a broker service with view or similiar, correct? If your just hosting a desktop outright like you would a server there is no additional client licensing fee's aside from the OS?!

Re: Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License?

4. Nov 4, 2009 9:48 AM in response to: scott_k2003
Click to view NWP_Tom's profile Enthusiast
NWP_Tom
47 posts since
Oct 2, 2008

You do not need a separate license from VMWare to host a windows desktop on an ESX server. What you do need a license for from VMWare is if you use View Manager, View Composer, etc. The licenses run either $150 or $250 per seat depending on if you choose View Enterprise or View Premier.

On the windows side of things for licensing... You can use the VECD licenses from Microsoft for the OS. If you have SA on your Microsoft OS licenses then you can get the VECD license for $23 per copy. If you do not have SA then you will need to purchase the $110 VECD license. These licenses entitle your thick client/thin client to access up to 4 virtual desktops running on your ESX server.

Re: Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License?

5. Nov 4, 2009 9:59 AM in response to: NWP_Tom
Click to view scott_k2003's profile Enthusiast
scott_k2003
82 posts since
May 16, 2008
Thanks guys.

Re: Hosting Windows desktop on ESX Requires Seperate License?

6. Nov 5, 2009 4:15 PM in response to: NWP_Tom
Click to view tom howarth's profile Guru
tom howarth
7,351 posts since
Jul 25, 2005
Just one note about the 4 virtualised guests the license states that only one user can access these guest, not multiple.

If you found this or any other answer useful please consider the use of the Helpful or correct buttons to award points

Tom Howarth VCP / vExpert
VMware Communities User Moderator
Blog: www.planetvm.net
Contributing author on "VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure Security: Securing ESX and the Virtual Environment”. Currently available on roughcuts

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