A vda license not only permits access to a virtual desktop, but it grants the right to install windows 7, vista or xp in a virtual machine and run up to four virtual. If youre talking virtual desktop infrastructure or vdi there are a few options vmware horizon view, microsoft remote desktop services, even. Software assurance by benefit microsoft volume licensing. Specifically, microsoft announced the availability of a subscription.
Guide microsoft windows virtual client licensing explained. As of july 1, microsoft will bundle vdi vda licensing for the windows client os into. The mdop information experience provides product documentation, videos, blogs. Table compares use rights and rules for a windows enterprise per device license with active sa software assurance coverage and a vda device sl subscription license purchased via an ea enterprise agreement, select plus contract, or mpsa. Indicates benefits that may also be available to customers licensed for microsoft intune andor windows vda subscription.
Microsoft assurance software is a program that was introduced in 2002 to help users deploy and support microsoft windows, microsoft office and related server desktop applications. With vdi, when virtualizing windows os or a microsoft app, such as office to a personal owned device, you have to have a windows os and software assurance on that personl device. However, and this is why my head hurts after talking to microsoft, you arent actually licensing the vms, you are licensing the right to access the vms. If youre connecting to your vdi environment from a vistalicensed pc already covered by microsofts annual software assurance plan, you must purchase a windows vecd for software assurance license. Windows virtual desktop in azure is licensed via active software assurance on windows 10 enterprise or the microsoft 365 e3e5 subscriptions.
Licensing windows software assurance and windows vda on a per. Sep 24, 2012 if you have software assurance, vda rights are included, so you dont need any extra licenses to run vdi. To access vdi, you need windows software assurance on the client device or microsoft virtual desktop access licenses. The windows 7 esu 2020 sku is a onetime purchase and covers devices from jan 15, 2020 jan 14, 2021, regardless of the purchase date. I think windows enterprise e3 and e5 license includes virtual desktop access. Jun 27, 2014 to access vdi, you need windows software assurance on the client device or microsoft virtual desktop access licenses. I do think microsoft is missing out with the windows 10vdi restriction. Virtual desktop access vda directions on microsoft.
Microsoft volume licensing microsoft software assurance. Entitlement summary for more details about software assurance entitlements through the mpsa, visit software assurance through mpsa. The vda licensing does not apply if you use microsoft software assurance sa, which also includes some desktop virtualisation rights. Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of windows client software assurance sa. Theres a big problem with microsofts vdi rules the. Licensing the windows desktop for vdi environments microsoft vdi.
Mdop helps to improve compatibility and management, reduce support costs, improve asset management, and improve policy control. Microsoft vdi licensing cuts costs only for sa customers. Use license advisor to research microsoft volume licensing products, programs and pricing. Microsoft software assurance has always been a gamble. Why microsoft is sabotaging desktop virtualization infoworld.
Microsoft windows vista licensing in a virtual machine for vdi 04032007. Now you, the compliant service provider, will be allowed vdi in spla. Together, the microsoft vdi suites and windows vda provide a simple, devicebased licensing model for your vdi environment. Most commonly if a windows pc is used as your endpoint for connecting to vdi and you have sa, this negates the need for vda licensing. If the user wishes to access a microsoft vdi from a device that is not covered by software assurance, however, a separate windows vda license is required. Mar 04, 2019 windows e3 or e5 is the evolution of the former windows sa software assurance. However, nonsa customers and customers that run thin clients need the vda. If you just need the price for a single product, start a quick quote. There are two suites on offer from microsoft for vdi.
Software assurance helps boost organizational productivity with 24x7 technical support, deployment planning services, enduser and technical training, exclusive technologies and rights, and the latest microsoft software releases and unique technologiesall in one costeffective program. Windows 7 enterprise the benefits of having software assurance. They include access to unique products and license rights not available through other licensing programs. In order to buy software assurance, i would need a volume licensing agreement. Jul 01, 2010 end point devices that do not qualify for software assurance such as thin clients may also need additional windows virtual desktop access vda licensing. Licensing briefs provide indepth knowledge of licensing topics. Microsoft offers two possibilities to license windows in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi environment. They are particularly useful for learning about complex licensing situations involving new technologies or combinations of products. Fitting licensing into your windows vdi environment. Legacy 3tier data centers make deploying virtual desktops complex. After purchasing, customers will receive mak keys to activate their windows environments for esu. The first option is software assurance sa which provides product use rights that allow virtual desktop access. Nutanix hyperconverged infrastructure hci integrates compute, virtualization, storage, networking, and security. With windows software assurance and windows vda, you get flexible access to windows enterprise, plus a number of additional benefits.
Software assurance benefits help you take full advantage of your investments in it. You will license each of your accessing devices with either a windows 10 enterprise e3 or e5 license which includes software assurance or a windows vda license which is typically for thin clients. Sep 04, 2009 first, having software assurance means you get first access to the new versions when they become available. Microsoft license cost killing our citrix vdi project. Microsoft wins big time all that missed revenue from non reporters will get reported. This addon license seems to be the key to unlocking virtualization. Windows software assurance and virtual desktop access licenses include home use rights.
However, the client devices that connect to vdi must be licensed with microsoft virtual desktop access license or have software assurance on their client operating system. Microsoft announced new ways to license and deploy the operating system for software assurance customers using windows vista. The license mobility benefit is available to microsoft customers with eligible server applications covered by active microsoft software assurance. Microsoft licenses for virtual servers and virtual desktops are different. Microsoft remotefx, which is part of the microsoft remote desktop protocol rdp in windows server 2008 r2 sp1, enables a rich, fullfidelity user experience for vdi and session virtualization. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the.
However, you will still need to account for azure compute, storage, and networking costs associated with the vdi instances in use through this program. Otherwise, select the full quote or guided quote option. If you have purchased software assurance with your microsoft software, you may be able to take advantage of your existing microsoft volume licensing investments and move to the aws cloud without paying additional microsoft licensing fees. Windows 7 goes out of support on january 14th, 2020. Software assurance for the windows desktop operating system, windows 10 enterprise e3e5 subscription licenses, and windows virtual desktop access vda subscription licenses provides the greatest flexibility for how you use windows. The short answer is you can either use windows 10 enterprise wsoftware assurance or windows 10 vda licenses in your vdi environment. With windows software assurance and windows vda, you get flexible access to windows. End point devices that do not qualify for software assurance such as thin clients may also need additional windows virtual desktop access vda licensing. The license mobility benefit is available to microsoft customers with eligible server applications covered by active microsoft software. Understanding microsoft s new windows virtual desktop licensing with software assurance. The license gives windows desktop customers access to technical support and training vouchers, but the ticket for virtualization lies with homeuse rights.
To submit an invoice to microsoft through savb, follow the instructions in step 8 of the workflow. The following restrictions on fpp licensing apply to vdi scenarios. A comprehensive program that includes a unique set of technologies, services, and rights to help deploy, manage, and use microsoft products efficiently, software assurance helps keep your business up to date and ready to respond quickly to change and opportunity. After redeeming planning services vouchers, you must invoice microsoft for payment. Customers who intend to use pcs covered under sa have access to their virtual desktop infrastruc ture vdi desktops at no additional charge. Notice that vecd and vda have to be paid on top of the licenses you pay for the vdi standard suite and vdi premium suite. Traditionally, the fixed costs associated with microsoft windows virtual desktop access vda licenses for most endpoints connecting to a windows virtual desktop could present an obstacle to vdi adoption. For devices or users that do not qualify for windows software assurance, you can license windows virtual desktop access vda for access to the benefits of windows software assurance. Microsoft vda and windows embedded a game changer for vdi. Our software then helps enhance network functionality and security. Nov 17, 2014 how to easily license microsoft windows with vmware horizon view deployment is a big challenge for any organisation.
Using software assurance benefits can help you take full advantage of your investments in it. To help verify your companys eligibility to enroll in a specific planning services engagement. Microsoft collects money in advance for future upgrades during a volumelicensing agreement and then keeps the money if. You will see a green check mark next to any requirements or competencies you. Microsoft offers several volume licensing programs, each tailored to the needs of different sizes of businesses and types of organi. Theres a big problem with microsofts vdi rules the register. Jul 19, 2016 invest in microsoft software assurance sa. Windows 10 iot thin clients can now be enrolled under microsoft software assurance instead of vda. Microsoft offers several volume licensing programs, each tailored to the needs of different sizes of businesses and types of organizations. Sep 02, 2011 microsoft offers two possibilities to license windows in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi environment. As of july 1, microsoft will bundle vdivda licensing for the windows client os.
Citrix vdi and microsoft rds licensing explained jani. As an option we can purchase this student option which covers the os and software assurance, as well as the required vda license. Mdop information experience microsoft desktop optimization. Software assurance planning services in partner center. How to easily license microsoft windows with vmware horizon view. Windows 10 licensing for vdi enviroment ms licensing. Software assurance by product microsoft volume licensing.
So with windows 7, those customers that have software assurance on their windows desktop operating system licenses get first access to the windows 7 code for deployment through the volume license service center download site. Windows 7 esu explained april 2019 update modern euc blog. How to easily license microsoft windows with vmware. Allowing you to scale nodes instead of disparate hardware devices. Payments are handled through the software assurance voucher benefit savb online payment tool. We just want to pay microsoft what we contractual owe them, nothing more, nothing less. The microsoft desktop optimization pack mdop is a portfolio of technologies available as a subscription for software assurance customers. If you have software assurance, vda rights are included, so you dont need any extra licenses to run vdi.
Understanding microsofts new windows virtual desktop licensing with software assurance. Microsoft licensing for the virtualized workplace biztech. How to easily license microsoft windows with vmware horizon view is a big challenge for any organisation but now you can license per user. Software assurance is a comprehensive volume licensing program that includes a unique set of technologies, services, and rights to help you deploy, manage, and use your microsoft products more efficiently.
This means the desktop license itself windows 10 as an example must be enterprise and have active software assurance sa. You can use aws vm import to bring virtual machine images from your onpremises environment to the aws cloud, enabling you to bring your existing microsoft software licenses and virtual machine. The former is typically userbased, while the latter was devicebased licensing. Microsoft licenses windows for virtual desktops by access device. You can license windows software assurance on a perdevice or peruser basis. Roaming use rights for windows allow the primary user of any device licensed for windows software assurance or windows vda to access a virtual instance of windows running in the data center vdi or windows to go from noncorporate devices, such as personally owned or hotel business center pcs, while away from the office. To connect to vdi, you need the following licenses. Microsofts answers to questions about vdi, windows thinpc. If a device is covered by software assurance, no additional licenses are required to access a windows vdi desktop. How does microsoft license the windows desktop for virtual environments. Option 1 microsoft sa software assurance to qualify for virtual data architecture vda, you are required to have current software assurance on your operating system.
Table compares use rights and rules for a windows enterprise per device license with active sa software assurance coverage and a vda device sl subscription license purchased via an ea enterprise agreement, select plus contract, or mpsa microsoft product and services agreement. Sign into the partner center dashboard select mpn from the menu, then select programs select software assurance enrollment select the planning services program enrollment tab at the top of the page. To achieve this, you need to add the sa within 90 days of your purchase of a computer with a legal oem copy of windows 7 professional. If windows 10, then you need to license either the endpoint device or the user with a windows 10 software assurance license, or a windows virtual desktop access subscription license. Aug 06, 2019 windows virtual desktop in azure is licensed via active software assurance on windows 10 enterprise or the microsoft 365 e3e5 subscriptions. In order to access a windows desktop os running on a hypervisor ie, a vdi virtual desktop the device connecting to that desktop os must either be covered by a microsoft software assurance sa contract or must have a vda subscription. Windows 7 enterprise the benefits of having software. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the shi. May 12, 2015 if youre talking virtual desktop infrastructure or vdi there are a few options vmware horizon view, microsoft remote desktop services, even smaller players like 2x software but. Option 1 microsoft software assurance sa the easiest way to access virtual desktops from a pc is to have a current windows client software assurance sa contract with microsoft on your windows device. Indicates benefits that may also be available to customers licensed for microsoft intune. Provides an indepth look at the selfhosted applications use right and its.
Microsoft licensing in vdi environments flexera blog. Software assurance benefits microsoft volume licensing. Virtual apps is windows server so those users always need rds cals. Windows virtual desktop access vda is an authorization strategy that requires each device seeking access to a windows virtual desktop in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi to. Software assurance for volume licensing includes a range of benefits that span microsoft software and services.
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