Addressing Licensing Challenges Another factor that can throw a monkey wrench
into software licensing is application virtualization. Most software license tracking applications inventory each PC by looking at the system registry to see what applications are installed. This method of tracking licenses breaks down when application virtualization enters the picture because virtualized applications are not installed in the traditional way. Therefore, the registry entries that are normally used to track software installations may not exist. Furthermore, some virtualized applications may not be installed at all. Some of the application virtualization products on the market stream applications to users’ desktops rather than installing the applications directly on users’ desktops.
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to the licensing challenges posed by server and application virtualization. Part of the reason for this is because many of the application publishers are still using legacy licensing terms that do not even address virtualization. For example, an application’s license might state that a license must be purchased for every computer on which it is installed. If the license does not specifically address virtualization then there are several questions that can come into play:
• Must desktops be licensed if the application is streamed to them, because technically the software is not installed on the desktop?
• If you are required to license each computer that contains a copy of an application, then does that mean you only need to purchase a single license for a virtual desktop infrastructure server that hosts 80 virtual desktops?
Resolving the Software Dilemma Software licenses can be cumbersome and confusing, and the terms may be difficult to follow precisely, but many IT pros will try to adhere to the spirit of the license terms. Even so, IT pros are still left with the burden of trying to figure out how to track software license usage in a virtual data center.
Although license tracking software meant for virtualized environments has not yet matured, using such software is presently the best option. Look for tools that are specifically designed for virtual environments and that understand the relationship between host servers and virtual servers. That is the only way that IT professionals can ever hope to properly license their server OSes.
As an IT professional shops for license metering
software, they should also make sure that whatever product they choose has the ability to monitor license usage, either in real time or on a scheduled
basis. That way, they can keep up with ever-changing software usage.
IT professionals that operate a private cloud—in
which a Web interface can be used to create VMs on an as-needed basis—have several options to ensure license compliance. Their best option is probably to set quotas that are based on the licenses they own. That way, there is no danger of users exceeding the software license limitation.
Another option is to operate the cloud on the
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter edition. That way, IT professionals don’t have to worry about how many virtual servers the end users create, since the Datacenter edition is licensed for an unlimited number of VMs. However, professionals will still have to make sure they properly license any applications that are running on those servers.
As you can see, there are no easy answers to
addressing the challenges of properly licensing software running in a virtual data center. As license metering software matures, the problem should get better. In the meantime, your best bet is to take steps to prevent the over-proliferation of software installations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brien Posey is a 7-time Microsoft MVP with 2 decades of IT experience. During that time, Posey published thousands of articles and wrote or contributed to dozens of IT books. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, Posey served as chief information officer for a national chain of hospitals and healthcare facilities. He has also worked as a network administrator for some of the nation’s largest insurance companies and for the Department of Defense at Fort Knox.
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Software Licensing
Made Simple PC Connection Account Managers work directly with a team of licensing experts ready to help with services including: n Transactional and contractual volume licensing program authorization
n License purchase history reporting n Client assessment n Contract processing and execution n Contract management and administration n Milestone/compliance management and notification n Renewal management (notification/ verification/processing)
n Customer order management n Ongoing pre- and post-sales licensing support
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