Remote access through virtual desktop infrastructure vdi or windows to go. If theyre uneasy about a nonpersistent vdi environment, then that should be a flag for you. As an exsoftware license auditor at kpmg specializing in microsoft licensing, ive seen firsthand how organizations large and small misunderstand the licensing impacts of virtualizing their desktops. Sep 02, 2011 microsoft offers two possibilities to license windows in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi environment. Issues with vditype desktop virtualization are mainly related to processing, networking and. Microsoft licensing for virtual desktops explained vdiworks. If you have specific questions about licensing policies after reading a. Vdi can complicate vendor software licensing and support because some licensing and support agreements do not allow for software to be shared among multiple devices andor users. More and more companies are turning to virtual desktop infrastructure vdi solutions to make it easier to manage their infrastructures. In this case depending on whether you are covered under software assurance sa or not, the licensing cost varies. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi can maximise cost savings. These virtualized desktops are created by a virtual machine controlled by a hypervisor. If a device is covered by software assurance, no additional licenses are required to access a windows vdi desktop. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi there are many scenarios where you would opt to not go the rds route and need your users to access a windows desktop operating system such as windows 7 or windows 8.
Vdi software is available on a subscription basis, or via perpetual licensing. In order to buy software assurance, i would need a volume licensing agreement. When licensing is enforced through software, nvidia vgpu software runs at reduced capability until the virtual machine vm that is running the software obtains a license. Oct 24, 2017 licensing for windows 10 enterprise falls under microsofts volume licensing program, where organizations first have to make the decision between microsoft software assurance sa and windows virtual desktop access vda.
Leostream software license agreement perpetual leostream. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the. If you are accessing a windows client operating system os as your guest os in. For example, microsoft office requires all users to have a volume license of office or an o365 subscription that includes proplus. Our awardwinning software licensing solutions help over 10,000 customers maximize the value of their software in their offering. Aug 06, 2019 more and more companies are turning to virtual desktop infrastructure vdi solutions to make it easier to manage their infrastructures. Licensing on a terminal server rds, vdi and os images. The windows 10 enterprise sku includes a vda license, so many organizations and higher education institutions will not require a license of this type for their. Companies with large software like this is generally pretty willing to help get you setup in any way they can, so that they make the sale. When comparing microsoft vdi to their competitors, on a scale between 1 to 10 microsoft vdi is rated 6. Horizon 7 is tightly integrated with vmwares softwaredefined data center, which includes vsphere, vsan and nsx. The technology does not change the number of software copies running at the customer site. You need to figure out any licensing restrictions the software you are planning to use has.
Whether youre looking to vdi, application virtualization, remote desktop architecture, an alternative to citrix and vmware, an application workspace, desktopasaservice daas, or indeed any other software deployment technology, this rfp template will help you consider and evaluate all the requirements youll want the proposed solution. It also enables centralized control over what applications the user is allowed to have access to on the workstation. Microsoft releases new faq doc to clarify vdi, vda, and. Manage vdi clients configuration manager microsoft docs. The license permits use of the software on the licensed device. Serverside licenses cost for serverside licensing, charged by the vdi vendor. Because virtualization supports running multiple configuration manager clients on the same physical computer, many client operations have a builtin randomized delay for scheduled actions such as hardware and software inventory, antimalware scans, software installations, and software update scans. The only scenario where you would not need windows vda is if you were using pcs covered under software assurance as the access devices, since virtual desktop access rights are included as a benefit of sa. List of top virtual desktop infrastructure vdi software 2020. Exploring the hidden license costs in application delivery.
Rfp template for application delivery, virtualization and vdi. The science of software costpricing may not be easy to understand. If you are accessing a windows client operating system os as your guest os in the datacenter from a thin client, windows vda is the appropriate licensing vehicle. Flexera claims that its nextgeneration software licensing, compliance and installation solutions are can ensure continuous licensing compliance, optimized. Best virtual desktop infrastructure vdi software 19 desktop virtualization software allows a user to run a virtual instance of an operating system on a machine with a different operating system installed. In order to better meet the needs of completing your classwork remotely, its has rolled out a new virtual computer lab system which you can access from offcampus. In vdi, a hypervisor segments servers into virtual machines that in turn host virtual desktops, which users access remotely from their devices. Solve the mystery of vdi licenses searchvirtualdesktop.
Issues with vdi type desktop virtualization are mainly related to processing, networking and user access. As an option we can purchase this student option which covers the os and software assurance, as well as the required vda license. Guide microsoft windows virtual client licensing explained. Microsoft offers two possibilities to license windows in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi environment. All computing activity on the deployed virtual desktop.
Amps give you worldclass support, software updates and feature enhancements for your virtualization platform. Users must assign each microsoft office license to a single physical hardware system licensed device. Licensing for windows 10 enterprise falls under microsofts volume licensing program, where organizations first have to make the decision between microsoft software assurance sa and windows virtual desktop access vda. Microsoft releases new faq doc to clarify vdi, vda, and rds licensing. Furthermore, microsoft windows workstation andor server licensing is required and may represent an additional cost. Regarding high availability, it is included in ms hyperv server 2008 r2 the nocost, standalone hypervisor and will therefore be.
Horizon 7 is tightly integrated with vmwares softwaredefined data center. The importance of server ratios with a virtual desktop infrastructure for a vdi solution to work effectively, it must be powered by an appropriate number of servers. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi is the technology for providing and managing virtual desktops. Im buying vdi software from vmwarecitrixother vendor. This integration provides a seamless turnkey solution onpremise and in the public cloud, eliminating the need to build, test and support disparate storage, virtualization and networking products. Now vdi leverages a single, central location to perform software deployments and patches. Virtual desktop access license vda licenses for using virtualized windows oss on the vdi servers or microsoft software assurance in vdi solutions based on running virtual machines on a server.
Word, excel, powerpoint, onenote, access, publisher, sharepoint, and onedrive. For devices that do not qualify for windows software assurance such as thin clients, you can access windows software assurance benefits by purchasing the windows vda subscription. Do i still need windows vda if i have vdi software from vmware or ctrix. Virtual computer lab vdi loyola marymount university. Microsoft volume licensing typically offers organizations lower pricing, two or threeyear license. Best virtual desktop infrastructure vdi software a complete list of virtual desktop infrastructure vdi software is available here.
Issues with vditype desktop virtualization are mainly related to processing, networking and user access. These license terms provide use rights to run windows locally on the licensed device in a virtual operating system environment ose. Download products install activate remove products. What is virtual desktop infrastructure vdi and how does it. Client licensing user guide nvidia virtual gpu software. Trustmaps are twodimensional charts that compare products based on satisfaction ratings and research frequency by prospective buyers. Properly licensed microsoft operating systems such as windows 10, windows 8. As an ex software license auditor at kpmg specializing in microsoft licensing. The information provided in this article should help to explain what different license models mean for you and which additional licenses you will be required to buy to achieve. Vdi s reliance on network connectivity presents another challenge. Im buying vdi software from vmwarecitrixanother vendor.
If you are accessing a windows client os as your guest operating system in the datacenter from a thin client, windows vda is the appropriate licensing vehicle regardless of the vdi software vendor you choose. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the shi blog. Windows virtual desktop in azure is licensed via active software. Designed to deliver pc windows applications at full performance. This means the desktop license itself windows 10 as an example must be enterprise and have active software assurance sa. Learn how the horizon universal license gives you the flexibility to deploy in the. Option 1 microsoft software assurance sa the easiest way to access virtual desktops from a pc is to have a.
Depending on the nvidia vgpu software deployment, licensing is enforced either through software or only through the enduser license agreement eula. Jul, 2009 the premium vdi suite license includes full rights of the rds cal, in addition to the other components for a vdi solution. Nvidia vgpu software license enforcement by deployment type. Horizon 7 is tightly integrated with vmware s softwaredefined data center, which includes vsphere, vsan and nsx. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi refers to the use of virtual machines to provide and manage virtual desktops. If there is no network, then there is no vdi session. A software license is a document that provides legally binding guidelines for the use and distribution of software. Since vdivda is a software assurance benefit, your customer must purchase their desktop os with software assurance to have vdi rights.
Desktop virtualization simplifies software versioning and patch management, where the new image is simply updated on the server, and the desktop gets the updated version when it reboots. Exploring the hidden license costs in application delivery and vdi. Vdi is different as this solution like vmware horizon view composes and creates win10 vms with limited resources like vhdd, vpu and vram etc within the host. It may be priced per named user or by number of concurrent users of virtual desktops. May 30, 2018 flexera claims that its nextgeneration software licensing, compliance and installation solutions are can ensure continuous licensing compliance, optimized software investments and futureproofed. May 30, 2019 as if choosing a software delivery technology wasnt hard enough, you should also be considering the hidden licensing costs that will be hitting your annual budgets. Licensing microsoft office software in commercial licensing as a result, a user can use a usb drive to run office on any licensed work device while on company premises. If you also have active software assurance for your office suite license, the primary user of the licensed. Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of windows client. Microsoft licensing in vdi environments flexera blog.
Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi services connection. Licensing microsoft office software in commercial licensing details per device microsoft office licensing microsoft office 2019 software is licensed on a per device basis. Licensing the windows desktop for vdi environments microsoft. This page contains information on licensing and sample license agreements. Im excited, too, about this new single licensing for vdis server infrastructure, which will complement vecd for a vdi deployment. A vm obtains a license over the network from an nvidia vgpu software license server. The license is checked out or borrowed when the vm is booted, and returned when the vm is shut down. That means users will see windows 10 os and not the server os if any and will only use the resources allocated to that vm. Pdfxchange deployment planning licensing licensing on a terminal server rds, vdi and os images. Vandyke software serves customers worldwide, including individuals, corporations, government and education. Rfp template for application delivery, virtualization and. The challenge is deciding where to start and how to find out if virtual desktop infrastructure vdi will be the best fit for your organization.
Rather than installing software and manually managing patches and security updates on each individual device, theyre choosing the vdi approach deploying an image of a desktop operating system directly onto a server, and issuing patches and installing. By leveraging complete workspace environment management and optimized for the softwaredefined data center, horizon 7 helps it control, manage, and protect. A similar issue occurs when deploying vdi or imaged desktops the seed used to encrypt the key when the master image was made is not available to the deployed instance, which results in the hash failing and the software reverting to trial mode. The first option is software assurance sa which provides product use rights that allow virtual desktop access. Netapp looks to edge its way deeper into virtual desktop infrastructure territory with its. This will allow you to continue to use some windowsbased software that you typically have access to in computer labs or at the library. Microsoft only offers sa to certain types of volume licensing programs, making vda a great alternative that offers similar. Vdi allows you to achieve better centralized network control and improve. Vdi hosts desktop environments on a centralized server and deploys them to endusers on request. As if choosing a software delivery technology wasnt hard enough, you should also be considering the hidden licensing costs that will be hitting your annual budgets.
Since vdi vda is a software assurance benefit, your customer must purchase their desktop os with software assurance to have vdi rights. That means if they did not purchase with software assurance, there is no option for them to use virtual desktops from a true licensing perspective. In addition to initial procurement for vdi licensing, ongoing maintenance and support agreements affect the bottom line. Mar 11, 2009 vdi wont change software licensing requirements. Dispelling the 7 myths plaguing vdi technology gis hosting and. Security is a major plus with vdi as all licensing and program downloads are centralized. There are many ways you might deliver software to endusers. For windows desktop operating system software licenses acquired through the oem channel, the windows use rights are outlined in the software license terms that accompany the software. This software license agreement, including in the case of a paid license the purchase order form which is incorporated by reference herein this agreement, is a binding agreement between leostream corporation and the person or entity a identified on the purchase order form as the licensee of the software in the case of a paid license or b. With vdi, when virtualizing windows os or a microsoft app, such as office to a personal owned device, you have to have a windows os and software assurance on that personl device.
Similarly, our vdi premium suite is about half the price of the premier vmware vdi offering, and it. More than ever, it departments want to realize the benefits of desktop virtualization. What is virtual desktop infrastructure vdi and how does. Microsoft licenses windows for virtual desktops by access device.
The premium vdi suite license, when available in q4, will be available as a device subscription, while rds cal the new name for ts cal is available as a perpetual user or device license. But do you know what vda and cal licensing is, and if its something you will. The best virtual desktop infrastructure vdi solutions for small business to enterprises. Compare microsoft vdi pricing to alternarive it management solutions. If you have specific questions about licensing policies after reading a license agreement, please contact vandyke sales. The nvidia grid vapps is for organizations deploying citrix virtual apps, rdsh or other app streaming or sessionbased solutions. Vdi hosts desktop environments on a centralized server and deploys them to end clients on request. Single installation single installation network virtual installation free trial update software troubleshoot installation. Snow presales expert, florian jorno explores the difficulties faced by organizations when it comes to licensing vdi implementations. Nvidia virtual gpu packaging, pricing, and licensing guide. When you purchase a windows 10 enterprise upgrade license through volume licensing, you can also acquire software assurance for that license. Vda licenses are required by microsoft when accessing a multiuser desktop virtualization solution apps and desktops from a lower family of windows, such as windows 10 home or pro.