Windows Server 2008 licencing

[jam]

Reading about Windows Server 2008 licencing I notice that MS have a minimum limit on the number of machines that connect to a KMS servers (5 for 2k8 and 25 for Vista). It also states that VMs do not count towards that total.

As all our 2k8 servers will be virtual, does this mean KMS is completely useless to us and the only option is MAC?

There are more than 5 ESX hosts that will be running these VMs, so there would be more than 5 physical boxes connecting to the KMS server, but does KMS check that or does it just discount VMs altogether?

[nabsltd]

The "VMs" that are being referred to are those run by the Microsoft Hyper-V.

In those cases, the "host" server is licensed through the KMS, and the VMs "tag along" and aren't counted.

If you are using VMware VMs and configure them to use the KMS, then every one of them counts.

[RParker]

It's a ploy by M!cro$oft to save whatever last vestige of customer loyalty they have, so they don't get run over by the VM Ware steam roller. They know if you use Hyper-V it MIGHT be attractive to those otherwise "cheap" people that want to save a few duckets just so they can use it. 5 Licenses is a very low number if you ask me (and hey you did). We have oh.. roughly 1500 Windows machines throughout the company.. so a few "tag alongs" is an insult. Besides what is the cost difference between running Windows standard and Enterprise? Now host a box with Enterprise and you can host what a measly 5 maybe 10 VM's, before your server is useless?

Yeah do the math, you come out WAY ahead (yes even including the ESX license price) with VM Ware... A few "Hyper-V`ulnerable`" boxes with a lower consolidation ratio still gets M!cro$oft more dinero, comprende? It's Billgatus Economics!