Microsoft Virtualisation licensing

[Nitin]

Dear All,

Q.  If I am licensed for Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise, I am allowed to run four simultaneous instances in virtual operating system environments (on the licensed server). However, I am running workloads in only two of those four instances on the licensed server. Under what circumstances can I run the remaining two instances on another server?

A.  

The rights to run the four instances are assigned to the licensed server, and all the instances can run only on the licensed server. You may not move your rights to run an additional two instances to another server.  However, if you have another server that is licensed for Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise or Datacenter, you may move the two workloads to that server and run them on that server provided that by running the additional instances you do not exceed the licensed capacity of the new server (one with Windows Server Standard, four with Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise, and unlimited with Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter).

Q.  Say I have a Windows Server 2008 Enterprise license assigned to my server. What if I want to add a fifth instance of the server software in a virtual operating system environment?

A.  

With a license for Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise, you may run up to four instances of the software in virtual operating system environments. If you want to run a fifth instance in a virtual operating system environment, you must acquire and assign an additional license to that server. It may be more economical to license the server with Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter or “step up” your Enterprise license to Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter.

Q.  Will I still be able to run an unlimited number of virtual instances with Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter edition?

A.  

Yes, Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter will continue to allow for running an unlimited number of virtual instances of the server software in virtual operating system environments.

Q.  Do the virtualization licensing rights of Windows Server 2008 apply when used with non-Microsoft software virtualization technologies?

A.  

Yes. The use rights apply regardless of the virtualization product being used. However, any non-Microsoft software virtualization technologies are not supported by Microsoft. For more information about support policies, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles:

·                            Article 897613: Microsoft Virtual Server support policy

·                            Article 897614: Windows Server System software not supported within a Microsoft Virtual Server environment

·                            Article 897615: Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software

 

 

 

 

 

Nitin Keni, VCP

Technical Specialist

 

Technology Solutions Division

An ISO 9001 : 2008 Certified Organisation

Cell: - +91-9967657707

Please do visit our website http://www.wysetek.com for our latest Technology Solutions 

P Please consider the environment; please don't print this email unless you really need to.