[windows software] Licenses needed for SCVMM?

[localzuk]

We are just getting together details of what we need to manage our soon to exist virtualised infrastructure.

 

This would be 3 x hardware boxes running Hyper V basically.

 

So, what licenses do I need for this?

 

Or, have I got this wrong - what tool is it to manage Hyper V installations centrally?

Edited April 17, 2012 by localzuk

[localzuk]

Anyone?

[chazzy2501]

depending on how many VMs you wish to run on each host (and how many sockets each host has) you'll need enterprise or datacenter licenses for the 3 boxes. You'll have to buy System Centre and then a SERVER CAL for each VM you're running. (not included with EES if you're using that).

[localzuk]

Couldn't say how many VMs we'll be running, but 20 across the 3 wouldn't be a stretch. They'd all be dual processor boxes.

 

So you're saying I have to license every VM?? That's ridiculous to say the least - the entire point of virtualisation is flexibility, having to license individual virtual hosts for their mere management removes the flexibility.

[localzuk]

For anyone else interested, I spoke to a reseller and they've explained that they've changed it a bit now.

 

Instead of needing individual licenses for different components of System Centre, it makes sense to buy 'System Center Data Center' licenses for each server you're using as a physical host. Each one of these licenses covers 2 processors, so if you have dual processor boxes, you need a single license for each.

 

The Data center license covers unlimited virtualised hosts on each machine also.

[chazzy2501]

well each VM running Windows server would need it own server licence but they're not expensive. I have 4 datacentre licences at 82.94 each (1 for each of my 4 sockets across 2 hosts) this covers me for 12 VMs.

 

system centre mananger costs about £35 and server cals cost about £25 each. workstation cals are included in ESS desktop package.

[localzuk]

Indeed, I haven't included that here as that's a separate issue in my mind. I've already specced up datacentre licenses for each server (1 per socket).

 

A datacenter license for system centre manager costs around £133 for unlimited VMs.

[chazzy2501]

phew, I hadn't gotten around to buying system centre yet (next years wish list) I'll look at the unlimited license.