Microsoft simple RDS VDI

[CAWJames]

Hi all,

 

SMT are planning to make me buy iPads for themselves and some of out WBL teams.

 

I want to provide them a virtual desktop that they can connect to while in centre.

 

I want this to to as simple as possible, so 2008R2 server with all the RDS roles and a few virtual windows 7 professionals in a pool.

 

This bit is fairly easy, pocket cloud on the iPad, connect to the pool address and away.

 

So...

 

What licensing do we need to make this legal after any trial periods are over?

 

Im assuming a Windows 7 licence per VM, and a RDS cal for each device/user.

 

Is it that simple, or do I have to licence to full FTE as we have OVS licences for a few things in place, or is there more to it?

 

 

Any help please as my head hurts!

 

Thanks

 

James

[glennda]

I would look at RDS (Terminal Server) and then an RDS cal for each device - although you will find that if you are on EES you would have to buy an RDS Cal for each FTE.

 

You are going to get a better performance from an RDS server then a windows 7 vm i think.

 

Toby

[CAWJames]

We only have OVS agreements for Office, Exchange, SQl and various CALS, so not sure if that makes us on an EES. Licensing was done above my head, and suddently changed from a campus agreement!

 

I want to offer a full VM rather than a portion of server. Familiarity and the option to just wipe a VM, when some member of staff does some research on the wrong side of the net!

[glennda]

With a windows 7 vm my understanding is you can have 1 free rdp connection to it under normal licensing as with any desktop.

 

Toby

[CAWJames]

I assume that's only if you connect straight to the computer as a single RDP session, which has always been licence free.

 

This would be through a terminal server, sharing out the VM's to whoever need them, not sure if it comes under the same as the above.

 

Thanks

 

James

[FN-GM]

This would be through a terminal server, sharing out the VM's to whoever need them, not sure if it comes under the same as the above.

 

But the VDI machines would be separate to the RDS servers.

[CAWJames]

This is why i'm asking!!

 

They are separate but managed through the RDS service on the server.

[glennda]

This is why i'm asking!!

 

They are separate but managed through the RDS service on the server.

 

How do you mean through the load balancing? It would be easier to have 1vm per AP and then setup on each IPad to connect to a seperate win 7 VM, therefore aslong as you have a license for the vm you are licensed to connect

[CAWJames]

OK, been doing some reading(always a bad thing, new toys jump off the page!)

 

I think I need VDA licences, the new name for VECD.

 

Are these available on an OVS-ES, as in the PDF I just read, there are yes's for availability in every box except for the Campus and Schools one. Is there a different model for Windows 7 VM's for us? http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/6/7/C673E444-6DDD-40B8-B29F-625354F2A8F7/Licensing_Windows_for_Virtual_Desktops_Whitepaper.pdf

 

Assuming they are available, anyone know how much they cost and if we need RDS licences as well to access them, or if everything is included in the VDA? I want to use RDWEB and its load balancing bits and bobs to provide a portal to the VM's, or if that proves a no go, just standard RDP or app to access it over its DNS name.

 

Thanks

 

James

[glennda]

You best bet is to talk to a Licensing reseller - I know when i spoke with @Millgate he put me onto his guy at m$ and I told him what i wanted to do and then they said the different methods of doing it and how much it cost overall etc