Article update (April, 2018 ) This article can be found at https://mscloudlicensing.com/2018/03/06/licensing-sql-2016-and-windows-2016/ We review best practices in reducing audit exposure, use rights and guidelines for SPLA licensing.
Category Archives: Windows Virtualization
How I saved a company over $100K a year in reporting
Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? This is a story about knowing what you are reporting and the reasoning behind it. Windows 2012 was launched a couple of years ago (give or take). At that time there were several service providers reporting Windows Enterprise. Their customers had applications that needed the functionality of Windows Enterprise, and since it wasn’t virtualized, Windows Datacenter was not an option. The service provider continued to report/license Windows Enterprise after the launch of 2012. There’s nothing wrong with this, in fact, the terms of the SPLA agreement state you can continue licensing 2008 use rights up until your agreement expires. What most providers don’t know is you can do the opposite. You can run 2008 versions but report 2012. Why would they do that?
In this case, they had Windows Enterprise installed; but since Windows Enterprise was discontinued with the release of 2012, they could downgrade to Windows Standard edition. Sounds funny doesn’t it? DOWNGRADE to Windows Standard from Enterprise? Yes, I said that correct. Enterprise is discontinued. Again, nothing was virtual, and that is very important. If it was virtual, they would continue to report Enterprise up until the agreement expired and report Windows Datacenter moving forward. Not only did he save on their monthly usage report, I’m guessing he had added margin since he was already contracted with his customer.
Quick note – not all products discontinued have the same outcome. In most cases (such as SQL 2012 switch to cores) their costs actually went up
Ahh…but where is this written in the SPUR? I’ll save you time, it’s not. That’s why you need to read “Why Timing is Everything” You are bound by the SPUR (i.e.products/versions/use rights) available at the time of signing your SPLA agreement. Those reporting SQL by processor better pay attention.
I receive 100’s of SPLA questions from the SPLA community about licensing and the cost associated with it. From the largest of the large providers down to a guy hosting Windows Web Server out of his parents basement (which is discontinued by the way), there’s always way you can reconsider your strategy. Moral of the story? Pay attention to how you report and don’t report out of convenience…It can cost you.
Thanks for reading,
SPLA Man
Licensing options in a virtual world
I thought I would update a post I wrote previously regarding virtualization. In this article, I want to touch on three specific products (Windows, Core Infrastructure Suite, and the new Cloud Platform Suite). Pay attention, this could save you money!
Windows
Windows must be reported, but oddly enough it is the most under licensed product during an audit. (along with SQL). You have to license every processor on the host machine that will allow you to run 1 virtual instance (either Linux or Windows) for Windows Standard edition. If you spin up another instance, you have to license every processor again! In other words, to run two instances licensing Windows STD on a 2 processor machine would need 4 licenses! Datacenter- you must license every processor on the host machine that will allow you to run unlimited VM’s. Great bargain if you are highly virtualized! Only caveat, it is going up in price in January.
Core Infrastructure Suite
CIS is a bundled SKU that includes Windows Server and System Center. There are two editions, Standard and Datacenter. They both come with the same technology, the only difference is virtualization. Standard will allow 1 instance, Datacenter will allow unlimited. This SKU is licensed by physical processor and follows the same logic as Windows virtualization mentioned above. Pay attention to the number of instances running on each host!
Cloud Platform Suite (CPS)
This is the baby of the SPLA family. (actually hasn’t been born if your reading this prior to January, 2014). I wrote about the basics in a earlier blog. I think this could be a HUGE plus for service providers who report SPLA licenses and run Hyper V. Why? Mobility rights. CPS is a bundled SKU of Windows and System Center. The differences between CPS and the Core Infrastructure suite is the way you license the guests. CPS you have to license the virtual guests, Core Infrastructure you don’t (as long as you license datacenter edition). What will make CPS attractive is the cost. The cost per host processor is a lot less than the cost of the Core infrastructure processor license. Secondly, because you also license the guest (not that cheap but pretty valuable), the guest OS can move as long as you license both the guest and host. This reduces your compliance risk tenfold. If VM’s can migrate and you cannot track that virtual instance, this is the way to go. Why wouldn’t you use CPS? If you are not running Windows 2012, System Center 2012, and Hyper V (a requirement) you should stick with Windows Standard or Datacenter. If you are heavily virtualized in Microsoft technology and running System Center, stick with Core Infrastructure Suite Datacenter. You will need to sit down with your reseller and review your options. That’s why you need to work with someone who understands SPLA and has your best interest. I always say “Make sure your compliant, but make sure you are licensing the most cost effective way.”
Good news is you have options, just make sure you pick the right one!
Thanks for reading.
SPLA Man
Windows Virtualization for SPLA Partners
If you were to ask me “What’s the number one question I receive day in and day out in managing the SPLA program?” Without hesitation my answer would be “Windows virtualization.” Windows is not overwhelming complex, but it is the most reported/licensed SKU in the program. All Microsoft software runs on a Windows operating system and is required to be licensed!
With the release of Windows 2012, there are only two SKUs that allow virtualization; Windows Datacenter and the ever so popular Windows Standard. With Windows, you must license each physical processor (not core) on the host machine that will allow “x” number of virtual instances. For example,if you have a (2)processor box with (1) virtual instance licensing Windows Standard; how many processors do you need to report? The answer is (2). Another example, let’s say you are running the same server (2 processors) with (2) VMs. How many do you need to report? The answer is (4). The SPUR (Service Provider Use Rights) for Windows Standard edition states you must license each physical processor that allows (1) virtual instance. If you run a second instance, you must license each processor on the host machine again. This can add up pretty quickly!
What happens if you are licensing Windows Datacenter on a (2) processor box with (4) virtual instances? You would only need to report (2). Windows Datacenter allows unlimited virtual instances. You must license each physical processor on the host machine (regardless which virtual technology you are running. i.e. VM Ware or Hyper V) that will allow you to run unlimited virtual instances. This by far is the less complicated way to go and in a lot of ways, the most cost effective. Most service providers are virtualizing to lower hardware costs, this is one way of reducing your overall licensing spend as well.
Hope this helps and thank you for reading!
SPLA Man
SPLA Licensing 