RE: [Xen-users] How do I get Windows licenses for virtual machines?

[Nathan Eisenberg <nathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Anthony Wright [mailto:anthony@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 9:10 AM
> To: Nathan Eisenberg; xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Xen-users] How do I get Windows licenses for virtual
> machines?
> 
> I'd prefer to go down the Windows XP Pro/Windows 7 Pro route as I'm
> told
> the licensing costs are dramatically lower compared to Server 200x, and
> this isn't a high traffic system.
> 
> SPLA sounds interesting but there seems to be some confusion over
> whether an OEM license for the box is a pre-requisite to be able to use
> SPLA licensing. The problem with the OEM license is that we normally
> run
> only linux on our boxes so we buy bare metal hardware. However, at a
> later date we may want to install Windows XP Pro/Windows 7 Pro in a
> DomU
> on the box, but I'm told that I'm not allowed to retrospectively buy an
> OEM license for a box once it has left the manufacturer. Since I can't
> get an OEM license for the box it seems that we're not eligible for
> Volume licensing, and I'm trying to clarify whether that means I'm not
> eligible for SPLA licensing too.
> 
> If you know the answer if have any suggestions I'd really appreciate
> it.
> 
> thanks,
> 
> Anthony
> 

Depending on the service you offer, using Windows XP/7 may be at odds with the 
licensing agreement, since they are not server OS's.  I'll bet that's part of 
why an OEM license is required for SPLA win7/winXP licenses, but is not 
required for server OS's.

I concur with James, though.  Call MS Licensing.  They'll very likely help.

Best Regards,
Nathan Eisenberg

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