Windows/Linux VM Licensing

[vkaranam]

Hello Guys

How does the VM licensing works in the vmware environment.

The windows will provide (sell to the companies) a single license key (OEM) and it will say u can deploy 300 windows machines with this license for the following windows verisons 2008 std, 2008 r2, 2008 Ent, 2008 datacenter. It counts the numner of instances of the machines.

Is this the way the licensing works or each license of the vm is tied up to the ESX Host(say on this ESX host u cna deploy only certain number of 2008 Machines)?

Also can u tell me how the LINUX ENT license works?

Thanks

VK

[suhag79]

i think, if you have one windows 2008 EE license then you can run upto 4 windows VM.

[a_p_]

Licensing is quite difficult and you will have to check with each OS vendor separately.

For example: In case of Windows you can install 1 instance of Windows with a Standard 2003/2008 license (2 with Windows 2012 Standard), With Enterprise 2003/2008, 4 instances are allowed (except you purchased a Windows 2012 Standard license and use the downgrade right, in this case only 2 instances are possible). Only the Datacenter edition allows for any number of Windows Server instances on a licensed host. But this is not all. If you run a vSphere Cluster with Windows Standard or Enterprise licenses, these licenses are also tied to the host and e.g. vMotion with a Standard license is only allowed each 90 days (plus in some precisely defined cases). ...

You may also want to take a look at http://www.vmware.com/products/datacenter-virtualization/vsphere/compare-editions.html to find out about your entitlement to install SUSE Linux Enterprise with the new vSphere Editions.

André

[terracor]

Which linux distribution do you want information for?

[vkaranam]

Thanks Suhag and Ap. it's very useful information.

Hey AP

As we can spin any no od windows 2008 DC editions in the environment how the windows control the licensing? Here is the scenario

Let us consider we have winodws 2008 DC template and i have one license key and i have 60 ESX hosts. Now when i spin a DC edition windows it lands on one of the ESX host. Now the One license i had is  tied to that esx host for DC edition windows i deployed?

Similary it happens on all other 59 ESX Hosts with that single license and we can spin 'n' no of windows DC machines in the environment?

Can we activate those 'n' no of DC edition machines using terminal server on the rest of the 59 ESX Hosts?

hey terracor,

It would be more helpful if u can provide how the licensing works between linux vm and the host for all distributions. say like Redhat (Ent), Suse and also for Solaris. I have found that we can spin any of vm's with the Suse Ent version on the ESX hosts. is it right? will the vmware support all those machines or it only support patches and updates of Suse machines.Also will the linux licensing tied to each ESX host?

Thanks

VK

[a_p_]

The Windows Datacenter Edition is licensed by physical sockets (with a minimum of two per host). The license will allow you to install any edition of Windows (Standard, Enterprise or Datacenter) and even older versions. You can activate any number of Windows Server instances with this type of license. Please find out about the exact details from your vendor or MS, because this may also differ depending on whether you purchase an OEM, Retail, Open or other license type.

André

[vkaranam]

Hey Andre,

Thank you very much andre. Thanks alot for the info.

Thanks

VK

[terracor · Accepted solution]

For SUSE it's quite simple. You need SLES license for each vHost a SLES driven VM is running on. You could purchase direcly from SUSE or from VMware (http://www.vmware.com/products/sles-for-vmware/overview.html). Beware, there are different prices for Servers with and without virtualization running on them.

One more info to SUSE is that you're are entitled to use SLES on your System under the following preconditions:

• Own qualified and active vSphere SnS contracts.
• Run VMware vSphere hosts of 4.0 U2 and higher
• Have an active VMware vSphere Support and Subscription (SnS) contract

Here's a link to the conditions: http://www.vmware.com/products/sles-for-vmware/get.html#c207168

For RedHat it's a litte bit more complicated. There are three types at the moment: 2 sockets with 1 virtual guest, 2 sockets with 4 virtual guests and 2 sockets with unlimited virtual guest. You shoud have enough licenses for virtual guests and sockets for your environment with a couple of exceptions. The best is, if you look at this PDF, it should cover all your questions: http://www.redhat.com/summit/2011/presentations/summit/whats_new/friday/riveros_f_1100_choosing_the_...

Oracle Solaris is quite easy to understand but maybe expensive. You need to license the whole cluster where you run any oracle solaris VM on.

Please check back my information with your local reseller, because I'm just an admin and no license specialist.

edited by terracor: added infos about SLES entitlements

[vkaranam]

Hello Guys,

Thanks a lot for all of you. I got th info i need. I appreciate your help.

Thanks

VK