Windows XP licenses for Virtual Machines

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majd

Hello,

I am unsure of how licenses for Windows XP work when it comes to
virtual images (using VMware to create virtual machines for instance).


Consider this scenario, a developer creates 5 different virtual
images of the same physical machine's installation of windows XP, with
each image containing a certain set of tools and programs that
distinguish it from the others. The developer will be using one out of
the 5 images for developing, but might want to occasionally use the
other 4 images for testing his software on a potential target
environment. Thus he is permanently running the development virtual
machine, but using the other 4 for 10 minutes as a test on a
target-environment.

Does Windows XP licensing require the developer to purchase a
license for each of these images? which would be strange if it does,
since one might be playing with hundreds of virtual images as potential
target environments.

And how about if there are ten developers, do each of them have to
get 5 licenses, totalling to 50 licenses of pretty much the same copy
of Windows XP.


I appreciate any clarifications, and thanks in advance,
sincerely,
majd
 
majd said:
Hello,

I am unsure of how licenses for Windows XP work when it comes to
virtual images (using VMware to create virtual machines for instance).


Consider this scenario, a developer creates 5 different virtual
images of the same physical machine's installation of windows XP, with
each image containing a certain set of tools and programs that
distinguish it from the others. The developer will be using one out of
the 5 images for developing, but might want to occasionally use the
other 4 images for testing his software on a potential target
environment. Thus he is permanently running the development virtual
machine, but using the other 4 for 10 minutes as a test on a
target-environment.

Does Windows XP licensing require the developer to purchase a
license for each of these images? which would be strange if it does,
since one might be playing with hundreds of virtual images as potential
target environments.

And how about if there are ten developers, do each of them have to
get 5 licenses, totalling to 50 licenses of pretty much the same copy
of Windows XP.


I appreciate any clarifications, and thanks in advance,
sincerely,
majd
Click to expand...


Doesn't each virtual machine requires a unique hostname, a unique IP
address, a unique MAC address (if networking is enabled rather than creating
standalone instances), unique memory allocation, and separation of file
systems and allocation of mass storage? Sounds like separate instances of
the OS, to me.

Go visit the virtualPC group. They are more familiar. But of what I've
read there, you need a separate licence for each instance that you have
loaded concurrently in your physical system memory.

"You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a
single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer")."

Since "terminal" is listed as a condition for differentiation, and the
generic term of "workstation" is used (which would apply to each instance
you load in a virtual PC), sure sounds like you need N+1 licenses for N
virtual PCs (you also need the license for the parent OS).
 
majd said:
Hello,

I am unsure of how licenses for Windows XP work when it comes to
virtual images (using VMware to create virtual machines for instance).


Consider this scenario, a developer creates 5 different virtual
images of the same physical machine's installation of windows XP, with
each image containing a certain set of tools and programs that
distinguish it from the others. The developer will be using one out of
the 5 images for developing, but might want to occasionally use the
other 4 images for testing his software on a potential target
environment. Thus he is permanently running the development virtual
machine, but using the other 4 for 10 minutes as a test on a
target-environment.

Does Windows XP licensing require the developer to purchase a
license for each of these images? which would be strange if it does,
since one might be playing with hundreds of virtual images as potential
target environments.

And how about if there are ten developers, do each of them have to
get 5 licenses, totalling to 50 licenses of pretty much the same copy
of Windows XP.


I appreciate any clarifications, and thanks in advance,
sincerely,
Click to expand...

Yes each and every virtual image created requires a license.
You regard Virtual Machines just as you do a physical PC for licensing.
VM's that are not in use are just like PCs that are turned off - so we do
not differentiate between physical or virtual machines for licensing.
So in your scenario the developer will require a Window XP license for his
host (physical PC) and 5 more licenses - one for each VM he creates.
If he was playing with a lab with a hundred PCs in he would require 100
licenses the same is true for VMs. This makes licensing as simple as
possible for all and removes any confusion.
VM or physical - they are regarded as the same in licensing terms. (There
are one or 2 exceptions such as MOM server licenses)

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
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