VM /ETC

Posts Tagged ‘vecd’

With the expected release of Windows 7 later this year, there is already speculation and rumor that perhaps Microsoft will loosen it’s virtualization licensing policies once again. A much needed move for modern virtual infrastructure in my opinion, Microsoft may finally be abandoning their position that their operating systems must be anchored to physical hardware. I hesitate to truly get excited about this change until it is officially announced, but could this finally be the green light to license VMs individually and independently of the virtualization host’s operating system and hardware? Could it finally be the acceptance of unlimited live migration (VMotion)?

I’ll reference 2 sources for these rumors. The first is Read the rest of this entry »

Cost comparison: Virtual vs. Vista desktop management is a great article from Barb Goldworm published on techtarget.com explaining the costs of implementing virtual desktops and comparing those costs to upgrading existing desktops to Vista. Working through Barb’s cost model should be mandatory homework for any company trying to decide if they should use VDI or begin another PC refresh project. I am going to high-lite some points with quotes from the article and then provide my own opinion. Personally, I believe VDI is a great solution for specific application scenarios, but is probably not a good solution for replacing hundreds (or more) of users’ desktops – both from a cost angle as well as an implementation and administration angle. I am curious to hear from the community about costs associated with migrating to VDI as well. Read the rest of this entry »

VMTN has posted some clarification to my recent post The Hidden Cost of VDI. Microsoft has also announced some VECD licensing changes.

From VMware’s VMTN Blog:

A clarification about VECD licensing from Warren Ponder at the Virtual Desktop Blog. Warren is referring to Rich Brambley’s posting over at VM /ETC about The hidden cost of VDI – VECD. Note that in all of yesterday’s sound-and-fury from Microsoft, they did reduce the VECD license cost from $78 to $23 dollars.

From Warren Ponder’s Virtual Desktop Blog:

Recently I read a blog explaining some of the early details of VECD. It described VECD as a hidden cost of VDI. There were also some snippets from a FAQ that was released by VMware, shortly after VECD was announced back in April. The blog makes some valid points, but there was one small detail that was not accurate. Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that if you deploy a VM with a Windows desktop OS on any virtualization server you are violating Microsoft licensing if you use your Volume Licensing key? Did you know that if you P2V a desktop OS that is using an OEM Windows License to a virtual server you are also in violation?

The only way Microsoft allows you to run virtual desktops on a virtual server is using an annual subscription license called Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktops (VECD), and VECD is only available if you buy Software Assurance. Microsoft announced VECD back in April 2007.

VMware published a .pdf that is a FAQ about VECD. Here’s some cut and pastes from the .pdf: Read the rest of this entry »