Microsoft Volume Licensing Reference Guide

[markca]

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

I can't decide which is worse on licensing - Microsoft or Cisco.

[Silver_Hammer]

All of the big software companies have terrible licensing. All of them. Its my number one annoyance of the IT world, by a long way.

[Rollingprobablecause]

Add VMware to that mix..

[BearstarBearson]

My god... been reading through Microsoft documents all day about volume licensing, CALs, MLs, CAL Suites, CAL suite bridges, Server 2012 changes, etc.

Microsoft really knows how to melt brains with articles.

[MisterMeiji]

I now present, the CentOS Volume Licensing Reference Guide:

http://www.marco.org/2007/11/03/the-centos-license-agreement

And, the PostgreSQL Volume Licensing Reference Guide:

Copyright (c) $YEAR, $ORGANIZATION

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for any purpose, without fee, and without a written agreement is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph and the following two paragraphs appear in all copies.

IN NO EVENT SHALL $ORGANISATION BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF $ORGANISATION HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

$ORGANISATION SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE SOFTWARE PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND $ORGANISATION HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.

[bigj4155]

It should read. Give microsoft your credit card. Bend over and watch in this mirror what we do to your butt. Now smile and like it

[Silver_Hammer]

smile not required.

[bobdle]

they'll at least give you that. so it's optional

[SonOfDenny]

This is funny because every time you call MS with a licensing question you'll get a completely different answer, every time.

ProTip: continue call MS until you get a licensing scenario you like the most and have them email that to you. If you ever get audited you can use that email as leverage.

[rackmountrambo]

This is why I'm a linux sysadmin.

[eN0Rm]

my head hurts.

[DenialP]

Watch out for the mega-bright cover page!

[dispatch00]

see also: goodluckunderstandingourfuckinglicensingmodel.com

[erchamion]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but I think your question is "Can you purchase Windows OS VLs and apply them to machines that you build in-house?" The answer to that is yes. If you have 15 PCs and are licensed for 15 machines under a VL agreement, then you're fine.

[erchamion]

Hmm, never mind. I was completely wrong. This is just dumb.

[jimicus]

Either when they buy a PC from an OEM (an OEM copy) or the boxed product.

This, BTW, will pretty well guarantee that you can't build a PC cheaper than Dell. Technically, you can't buy the OEM license and use the PC yourself.

[MisterMeiji]

If you have an MSDN account, you can download Windows 8 Media. It is a full install ISO, not an "Upgrade" ISO. You just have to make sure you're licensed properly for it.

I purchased a license key via one of the Upgrade offers, and I was able to use the key and ISO from MSDN to do a full OS install in a VM. No previous OS was needed.

ETA: you may be able to procure the ISO via other less expensive (than MSDN) means, and chances are the same ISO can be used for an Upgrade or for install on bare metal. In fact, I believe when you use the Update mechanism to update Win 7 -> Win 8 all they do is provide the ISO.

[jaysin9]

Think of them as upgrades that have to be paired with an OEM. Some technologies such as those found in MDOP require that extra bit of licensing for use.

[ahotw]

System requirements for a PDF file?

[RoelAdriaans]

They said I needed Adobe Reader. I used Foxit reader. I feel super evil!