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Spinning up replicated servers in the cloud Win Server licensing?
Hey there
We are looking at implementing Acronis' offering which would allow us to replicate VMs to the cloud, and the ability to spin them up if there is a loss of a site etc., then recover everything.
What I am not clear on is, is there any issue when spinning up the VM Servers in the cloud, where they won't be activated, or activating could impact the activated servers in the prod environment? I am just not sure how that is handled.
Anyone?
Thanks!
ASKER
Hey Philip
Thanks for responding!
It is totally legit. That being said, it really should just work? I shouldn't have to worry about it? OEM licenses on physical hardware I would imagine would be different
Thanks for responding!
It is totally legit. That being said, it really should just work? I shouldn't have to worry about it? OEM licenses on physical hardware I would imagine would be different
A Windows Server license is tied to the host. So, no matter where those virtual machines go, the destination needs to have the proper Windows Server licensing, including version with back version rights if needed, in place prior to moving those VMs.
OEM is the OS that is bound to the hardware. The guests are Operating System Environments (OSEs) and _are_ portable despite what some folks may say (religious argument that). One need only respect the 90 day limit on moving them without SA.
So, in this case, the destination is not licensed to run those VMs. Thus, Software Assurance (SA) is required for Cold Backup.
OEM is the OS that is bound to the hardware. The guests are Operating System Environments (OSEs) and _are_ portable despite what some folks may say (religious argument that). One need only respect the 90 day limit on moving them without SA.
So, in this case, the destination is not licensed to run those VMs. Thus, Software Assurance (SA) is required for Cold Backup.
ASKER
Hey Philip
Sorry this part with DR in the Cloud is a little new to me. Just making sure I understand you correctly. So basically, even though I did a test by cloning a VM Server, Win2k19, and I then brought it up without network connectivity (on the same host), all seemed to work perfectly (in the test it was a DC), it did show it was not activiated, but appeared to work fully. That being said, I would be able to connect it, if I needed to spin things up in the cloud should I lose a site, for <90 days?
Of course I hope it never happens, but just trying to be prepared!
Thanks so much
Sorry this part with DR in the Cloud is a little new to me. Just making sure I understand you correctly. So basically, even though I did a test by cloning a VM Server, Win2k19, and I then brought it up without network connectivity (on the same host), all seemed to work perfectly (in the test it was a DC), it did show it was not activiated, but appeared to work fully. That being said, I would be able to connect it, if I needed to spin things up in the cloud should I lose a site, for <90 days?
Of course I hope it never happens, but just trying to be prepared!
Thanks so much
How is the DR site set up? Is it on the same subnet? More than likely not.
So, part of the Disaster Recovery Planning needs to be around resetting IP address/subnet settings to get the VMs online is important.
The destination needs to be licensed to host those VMs so SA is required here.
Source page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/licensing-programs/software-assurance-by-benefits
PDF Link: https://download.microsoft.com/download/0/0/3/0039F316-45CF-4083-AA6E-C35DA9D25C1B/SA_InteractiveBenefitsChart.pdf
So, part of the Disaster Recovery Planning needs to be around resetting IP address/subnet settings to get the VMs online is important.
The destination needs to be licensed to host those VMs so SA is required here.
Source page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/licensing-programs/software-assurance-by-benefits
PDF Link: https://download.microsoft.com/download/0/0/3/0039F316-45CF-4083-AA6E-C35DA9D25C1B/SA_InteractiveBenefitsChart.pdf
ASKER
Hi Philip
Thanks so much for getting back to me. When you say SA, they have to pay the annual SA fees - I am unclear on this.
I just logged in to the volume licensing site, where it shows the keys mak or kms. I am so sorry, still a little unclear.
Would that mean they have the type of licenses that during an emergency it will allow them to spin up the VM servers (2012, 2019 etc)?
I am almost at the point of doing a POC with Acronis.
It is my understanding the VMs would be replicated to Acronis datacenters, and you would be able to set up a virtual network so the users could connect (once servers are spun up), via a point to point, or site to virtual network site VPN. I am not clear yet if they would/could have same IP range.
I am having a meeting hopefully with an engineer EOD today. Do you see the ip scheme/range an issue?
Definitely concerned need to know if this would work. Thanks so very much for your help!!
Thanks so much for getting back to me. When you say SA, they have to pay the annual SA fees - I am unclear on this.
I just logged in to the volume licensing site, where it shows the keys mak or kms. I am so sorry, still a little unclear.
Would that mean they have the type of licenses that during an emergency it will allow them to spin up the VM servers (2012, 2019 etc)?
I am almost at the point of doing a POC with Acronis.
It is my understanding the VMs would be replicated to Acronis datacenters, and you would be able to set up a virtual network so the users could connect (once servers are spun up), via a point to point, or site to virtual network site VPN. I am not clear yet if they would/could have same IP range.
I am having a meeting hopefully with an engineer EOD today. Do you see the ip scheme/range an issue?
Definitely concerned need to know if this would work. Thanks so very much for your help!!
Software Assurance is an add-on to Open or Retail licenses. SA can also be integrated into Open licenses when purchased. SA can be added to already existing licenses up to 90 days (I think) post purchase of those licenses.
If no SA is in place and not able to be purchased, then I do suggest talking to a Microsoft Licensing Specialist as I'm thinking that spinning those VMs up in a third party DC for DR purposes would not be covered. That's not a happy place to be in.
If no SA is in place and not able to be purchased, then I do suggest talking to a Microsoft Licensing Specialist as I'm thinking that spinning those VMs up in a third party DC for DR purposes would not be covered. That's not a happy place to be in.
ASKER
Hey Philip
So if I did a rudimentary test, buy using winscp - then coping the vm to a host and bringing it backup, and it runs, it is not sufficient? Could I run into unforeseen issues in a situation where I spin up in the cloud and have to go back onsite?
Have had little luck in the past getting anything useful out of microsoft. If you still think it is necessary to be sure, you wouldn't have a number I "should" use to try to get an answer would you?
Do you think the licensing team at Techdata would be a good resource?
Thank you again!
So if I did a rudimentary test, buy using winscp - then coping the vm to a host and bringing it backup, and it runs, it is not sufficient? Could I run into unforeseen issues in a situation where I spin up in the cloud and have to go back onsite?
Have had little luck in the past getting anything useful out of microsoft. If you still think it is necessary to be sure, you wouldn't have a number I "should" use to try to get an answer would you?
Do you think the licensing team at Techdata would be a good resource?
Thank you again!
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The SA grant removes the 90 day restriction on moving a license from one system to another.
Licensing is a complicated subject. So, verifying with a Microsoft Licensing Specialist is advised.