[Openstack] Windows VM running on OpenStack

Tzach Shefi tshefi at redhat.com
Mon May 18 11:03:35 UTC 2015


Hi, 

First off all like I mentioned before, I'm not an MS license expert and highly recommend consulting with one.  
Having said that, if you only plan to run a single server one license should do for the server. 
As per CALs I'm guessing it depends on what's going to run on the server. 
When you mean server will be accessed remotely do you mean Remote Desktop sessions? 
If so how many concurrent sessions up to 3, or 3+ as in case of a full terminal server? 

Terminal server must also add CAL's for sure :( 
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770371%28v=ws.10%29.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2009/09/04/what-s-the-difference-between-a-rds-cal-and-a-ts-cal.aspx

Maybe this link could help with need a CAL question. If you don't use the server as a terminal server and use some other service.
http://blogs.technet.com/b/volume-licensing/archive/2014/03/10/licensing-how-to-when-do-i-need-a-client-access-license-cal.aspx


I can dig up a few MS licensing expert contacts, but they're all local (Israel) not sure they could or would be able to help you out. 
Where is the server going to be installed, or where do you live? 

Tzach


----- Original Message -----
From: "Georgios Dimitrakakis" <giorgis at acmac.uoc.gr>
To: "Tzach Shefi" <tshefi at redhat.com>
Cc: openstack at lists.openstack.org
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 1:15:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Openstack] Windows VM running on OpenStack

 Hi Tzach,

 thank you very much for the provided feedback!

 It seems that MS licensing is not an easy task. I have contact a few MS 
 partners
 and each one of them is proposing different things based on different 
 Microsoft's licensing agreement rules.
 Therefore, I am very confused so any additional help is very much 
 appreciated!

 For the moment my task is to have a legitimate Windows Server 2012R2 
 running on OpenStack Cloud, in a Datacenter (does locations has anything 
 to do? some say yes, some no). We are not the owners of the Datacenter 
 neither of the machines. We are just deploying services on top of that.

 Let's not consider the example of more than one Virtual Machines 
 running and just focus on this one for the moment.

 Obviously the Server will be accessed remotely so I guess we have also 
 to buy CALs plus some remote access licenses. Believe it or not some MS 
 partners said that buying just the license is enough...I am sure that 
 this doesn't apply!

 If you can suggest to me to a proper license partner or an MS person I 
 'll be more than happy to contact them.

 Best regards,

 George

 On Tue, 12 May 2015 08:57:35 -0400 (EDT), Tzach Shefi wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This should point you in the right direction:
> http://docs.openstack.org/image-guide/content/windows-image.html
>
> License wise if you have an OVS agreement with MS and using a KMS
> license key/server (Key Management Server) things should be easy.
> Use your MS supplied installation media, it should have a default
> preconfigured built-in license key which points hosts to search for
> and register with your local KMS server, via a special DNS or AD
> record don't recall.
> See these links for a start
> https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793434.aspx
> https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx
> https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee939272.aspx
>
> Here you go:
> https://open.ibmcloud.com/documentation/windows-activation.html
>
> Another added advantage of KMS, it can "de-registered" or decrees
> count of dead hosts.
> You could boot up instances and once they are terminated after a
> while, KMS server would automatically decrees license count for
> terminated instances.
>
> KMS works fine it's bit funky at first, example with Windows 7 it
> would wait until 25 hosts connected and requested licenses, during
> this time they get temp grace license until the minimum count of 25
> hosts is reached.
> Only after 25 hosts would KMS server actually fully register with MS
> and give your hosts the actual license.
> If you drop below 25 hosts you will have a problem..
>
> Another license option (bad one..) is using Multi activation key,
> same key can be used to register a few instances over and over again.
> With each activation count will drop up till the limit of that
> license, then you'll need to call them and explain or ask for help.
> Not a good idea for instances which are installed/terminated often.
>
>
> Tips from my past IT experience with MS, I'd consult with MS any way
> just to be sure, maybe things changed.
> Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
>
> Good luck.
> Tzach
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Georgios Dimitrakakis" <giorgis at acmac.uoc.gr>
> To: openstack at lists.openstack.org
> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 12:05:20 PM
> Subject: [Openstack] Windows VM running on OpenStack
>
>  Hi!
>
>  I was wondering if anyone has any experience and can help me built a
>  Windows Server VM that will be running on OpenStack. Any links or 
> docs
>  are appreciated.
>
>  Additionally do you know what license should I get from Microsoft in
>  order to have that VM running on OpenStack?
>
>
>  Best regards,
>
>  George
>
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