Question

do i need another OS license for each virtual machine i set up using VMWare?

Asked by: hidalgodlhs

I am in the middle of setting up another VMWare server for application.  Do i need to purchase another OS license?

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Asked On
2009-03-19 at 09:36:46ID24246325
Topics

VMware

,

Windows 2003 Server

,

Microsoft Virtual Server

Participating Experts
7
Points
500
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: Michael-BestPosted on 2009-03-19 at 09:40:20ID: 23931433

 

by: za_mkhPosted on 2009-03-19 at 10:24:31ID: 23931944

VMWare Server is free even though VMWare does licence it. Just sign into your VMWare account and get another licence assigned. Be safe rather than sorry.

 

by: LuvJesus2DayPosted on 2009-03-19 at 10:26:29ID: 23931967

This is a really good article talking about it and especially if you have R2 I don't believe you will if it is on the same box:
http://www.dabcc.com/article.aspx?id=1546

 

by: pnrhaitPosted on 2009-03-19 at 11:39:13ID: 23932635

You can install as many virtual machines using a single license but if you are audited and do not have a license for each OS installed then you are in breach of the licensing agreement. But safe then sorry make sure that you have licensing for each machine

 

by: ngailfusPosted on 2009-03-19 at 12:35:06ID: 23933169

I believe Microsoft lets you install an additional Server license if it is a non-production server. For example, a test environment.  Of course I would make sure that is the case before you rely on what I just said.

 

by: za_mkhPosted on 2009-03-19 at 14:00:00ID: 23934162

If you talking about Microsoft Licencing, then if it is a Windows 2003 OS, each instance has to be licenced seperately. Even copies of Virtual machines that are not powered on need to be licencsed. Pedantic Licencing rules, but they are MS rules

If you Windows 2003 Server is Enterprise Edition, you are allowed to use that one Enterprise license 4 times .. 1 for host and 3 for VMs. All those instances must be on the same physical server.

Microsoft does not allow you use use an additional server licence for non-production use. It still has to be licenced seperately (though if you use it for a short while and destroy that non-production VM - I guess there is no harm!)

 

by: jfields71Posted on 2009-03-19 at 21:30:00ID: 23936852

za mkh has it correct. In edition, Datacenter edition of Server 2003 does not require additional copies for each VM.  
http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/C/A/FCAB58A9-CCAD-4E0A-A673-88A5EE74E2CC/Microsoft_Server_Products_Virtual_Environs-VL_Brief-Jan_09.docx

Also, you can have cold backups that don't require additional licenses if you have active SA for the server licenses.
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/volbrief.mspx

 

by: TolomirPosted on 2009-03-20 at 08:54:58ID: 23940608

It might be worth a try for testing to use the 180 days trial version.

E.g., windows server 2003 w/ SP2

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb430831.aspx





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