Virtual Machine ?'s

[Kevin Smith]

I have a client that wants me to get into Virtual Machines with Windows. I have up until now only offered web hosting/email on Linux machines. Basically, they want to have their office computer as a server and have their employees connect to the server and log in to use the software. I understand that I need to be running Windows Server 2003 and Virtual PC 2007 to accomplish this. There would be no more than say 5 users, most likely only 2 actively using the system at one time. My question is how do licenses work in this situation?

[DXD]

I have a client that wants me to get into Virtual Machines with Windows. I have up until now only offered web hosting/email on Linux machines. Basically, they want to have their office computer as a server and have their employees connect to the server and log in to use the software. I understand that I need to be running Windows Server 2003 and Virtual PC 2007 to accomplish this. There would be no more than say 5 users, most likely only 2 actively using the system at one time. My question is how do licenses work in this situation?

If I'm understanding this correctly Virtual PC is not what you want. If you want a server to host your software products and clients to login to use them this would be called Virtual Terminal or also known as Remote Desktop which is part of Windows 2003. It lets you connect to the server as if you were in front of it and run programs on the server.

Is this what your asking about?

[Kevin Smith]

I think so. Basically there would be up to 5 users connected each running an instance of the software.....So is Virtual Terminal what I am talking about here? I guess the same question would be asked...what about users, etc. Do I need to get licenses for those users since they would be running the system?

[DXD]

I think so. Basically there would be up to 5 users connected each running an instance of the software.....So is Virtual Terminal what I am talking about here? I guess the same question would be asked...what about users, etc. Do I need to get licenses for those users since they would be running the system?

I am pretty sure Virtual Terminal/Remote Desktop is what you are after, but as far as licensing is concerned I'm not sure what would be involved. I would think you would need a CAL for each connected user and then you would need a license per user for the software your using on the server.

[noaxispoint]

Just FYI, Terminal Services (aka Remote Desktop aka Virtual Terminal) are not cheap. If you need 5 licenses for Application Mode, I will suggest talking to a reseller about an Open License or see if ServerBeach can provide them (at extra cost of course). Also, READ any licensing agreement you have when you buy CALs as some of them are for a specific machine and cannot be transferred to another server in the future.

[jasonaward]

Virtual PC is different from remote desktop in that Virtual PC would behave as completely separate entities --- basically you would be running multiple servers on one hardware node. Any communication between those instances would behave as if they were physically disperse servers. In this case, if you had 5 VPSs, then you would also have to administer 5 servers, since they behave as completely separate entities.

Remote Desktop, however, is similar to, say, XP's "switch user" in that multiple people could be logged on simultaneously, with the difference that they could each be using the server at the same time.

[KyleMulligan]

Just FYI, Terminal Services (aka Remote Desktop aka Virtual Terminal) are not cheap. If you need 5 licenses for Application Mode, I will suggest talking to a reseller about an Open License or see if ServerBeach can provide them (at extra cost of course). Also, READ any licensing agreement you have when you buy CALs as some of them are for a specific machine and cannot be transferred to another server in the future.
Bingo. Terminal Services is great, but quite costly.

[knightfoo]

Even if you run a virtual Windows 2003 server, you still need the OS and Terminal Services licenses. By default you only get 2 administrator connections. If you want 5 non-admin connections it costs about $5k for the licenses.

I'm not sure if the ServerBeach SPLA covers Terminal Services licenses, but it is worth asking. Even if it does cover the licenses, the big question is whether ServerBeach would be willing to productize it for one customer. Personally I would tell your client they should buy a copy of the OS and necessary Terminal Service CALs on their own then provide them to you or whoever they host with. If they have an Open/Select/Enterprise Agreement then they can use that to purchase the licenses, even though they will not physically located on their premises. This way they don't have to worry about arranging complex license agreements whenever they change hosts.

[DXD]

Just checked the SPLA and it does support it.

20 Device cals will run you $2504.00 a month
20 User cals will run you $2504.00 a month
5 Device cals will run you $626.00 a month
5 User cals will run you $626.00 a month