licensing

Virtualizing Microsoft SQL? Consider per-processor licensing

In a recent SearchVMware.com tip, I outlined situations where it does not make sense to have SQL or Exchange virtualized. The bottom line is that licencing depends on many factors, and you need to consider licencing when virtualizing such applications or you could end up spending more money than necessary. One point worth noting that is not in the tip is if you opt to license Microsoft SQL Server per-processor, it may carry additional benefits.

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Licensing complications frustrate vSphere users

VMware vSphere is a free upgrade for licensed customers with active Support and Subscription (SnS), but many users have reported problems obtaining their new vSphere licenses from VMware. Because VMware decided to go with a simpler license key instead of a more complex license file, new license keys are needed to use vSphere. When vSphere went GA on May 21^st, VMware did license upgrades for its customers, creating vSphere license keys for them. Presumably this process looked at customers’ existing licenses, checked if their maintenance was current to see if they were entitled to the upgrade and, if so, generated keys for all the hosts and vCenter Servers that qualified.

My own experience with obtaining vSphere licenses was frustrating as well. On May 21^st, when vSphere was first posted to VMware’s website, I logged into the website, went to download the vSphere bits and found I was unable to — the licensing portal claimed I had no active contracts and therefore was not entitled to the upgrade. There was also a big note at the top that stated that the license upgrades were in progress and could take some time to complete. OK, I figured, I’ll give them some time and try again later in the day. I was anxious to get the new GA code, however, and found I could download it right away by choosing to evaluate vSphere instead. The download process was fairly smooth, downloads were quick despite the large file sizes and they had a download manager utility that allowed multiple file downloads at once.

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VMware vSphere licensing commentary and FUD

VMware’s new approach to licensing has brought on quite a bit of commentary in the virtualization community. People are discussing it on Twitter, in other blogs and over the phone. It’s being discussed in podcasts and whenever virtualization administrators get together. There are several talking points, and they seem to be mostly FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt), or lack of knowledge.

Here are the main discussion points:

• VMware should be allowed to make money
• SMBs want everything for free
• VMware vSphere is more expensive than Hyper-V or Xen
• Those at Enterprise license levels are no longer at the top of the license tree
• Enterprise Licensing is disappearing and there will be a forced upgrade to Enterprise Plus
• The forced upgrade is timed to correspond to the termination of the most Support and Service (SnS) contracts
• There is no upgrade path from Essentials to the more advanced license levels without repurchasing
• VMware does not understand the SMB

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