Microsoft introduces virtualization licensing plan

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS
10/17/05
Today's focus: Microsoft introduces virtualization licensing
plan

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Microsoft's new licensing guidelines
* Links related to Windows Networking Tips
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Microsoft introduces virtualization licensing
plan

By Dave Kearns

When I was writing last week's newsletters about Windows
upgrades and licensing, it occurred to me that as it was already
October there should be new licensing guidelines coming out of
Redmond. Sure enough, while you were reading about the licensing
maze, Microsoft was announcing new licensing policies,
specifically licensing for virtualized services
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8704>.

Many people run virtual servers - multiple instances of
operating systems (or multiple operating systems) running on a
single hardware device. While Microsoft is just entering the
virtualization world, other companies (notably VMware), have
been there for many years. Virtualization allows for many
benefits not the least of which is a way to dramatically lower
hardware costs. One server-class box, one keyboard, one monitor,
one motherboard, etc. - virtual machines minimize the hardware
investment. While you should increase the amount of RAM and disk
available to the processor(s), it's a lot cheaper than setting
up multiple boxes.

One of the big drawbacks to virtualization has been Microsoft's
licensing policies which (up until now) have assumed that each
product is running on its own hardware and is always available.
You could, for example, use a box with four CPUs and virtualize
it into four instances, each with its own CPU. But run SQLServer
in one of the instances and you'll need a 4-CPU license because
of the physical hardware. That's been changed. The new licensing
will be by instance.

Network managers would always to have spares ready to run as
part of a disaster recovery plan. Under previous licensing, each
installation of a Windows server needed its own licenses,
whether it was running or not. The new plan allows you to
install multiple instances but only carry licenses for the
number of concurrently running ones. For example, you could
configure SQLServer to run in one instance of a virtual machine
then install the same license on another hardware device
(configured to also run as a virtualized server). If the first
instance becomes unavailable, you can start up the second and
continue computing - all with just one set of licenses. Of
course, you'll need to configure the database files to be on a
shared storage device and also employ some clustering techniques
to quickly change client systems to access the new server but
that's a small price to pay for the savings in server license
fees.

There's more to Microsoft's virtualization strategy, and more
licensing changes that coincide with that strategy. Head over to
the Microsoft press release
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8705> to read all about it.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Symantec AntiVirus Scan Engine has serious bug
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8616>
2. New WLAN group shakes up standards process
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8878>
3. Windows 2000 vulnerability could lead to new outbreak
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8879>
4. You won't find this book on Oprah's list
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8618>
5. IETF effort promises fewer net failures
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt8619>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Avaya
Network World Executive Guide: Making the Most of Mobility

As the demand for wireless access grows so does the need for
timely information about this technology. The editors of Network
World have put together the following Executive Guide so IT
professionals can take a clear look at mobile standards,
security, what's happening in the field and where mobility is
headed.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=117628
_______________________________________________________________
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Perspective?

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on Security covers it all. Click here to read now:

<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt7472>
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