Licensing remains a difficult problem in today’s virtual infrastructure. Some things are easy to understand and some are not. After visiting a session on Microsoft licensing one day, I heard a number of new things that I wanted to share with you. I will give you a few definitions used in Microsoft licensing and a number of examples.

My most important sources can be found here: Microsoft Volume Licensing, I’m giving you a summary of the most important parts*.

*Disclaimer: Remember that I’m not using any legal talk to explain things, so when the Business Software Alliance is on your doorstep, you can’t say, “I did it because Gabe told me to.”

Full article at: SearchVMware.com

UPDATE: In the comments section HeinoSkov asked a question about per Server / CAL licenses. For Server / CAL the 90 day rule still applies!!!

by Gabe.  Comments

Jan Willem Lammers presenting on Virtualizing Exchange on VMware. First he’s checking with the audience on how many mailboxes they are running virtual. Some run 10.000 mailboxes !!!

Is Exchange supported? YES !!!

• Scenario 1: See: Microsoft Server Virtualization Validation Program. ESX 3.5U2+ and vSphere 4.0 on Windows Server 2008, Exchange 2007. When certified for Windows 2008R2 you can downgrade.
• Scenario 2: Support through server OEM contracts
• Scenario 3: Support through MS Premier contract
• Scenario 4: Support through VMware GSS. VMware will on best effort contact Microsoft for you

(more…)

by Gabe.  Comments

Next on stage, Eric Sloof.

Virtualization EcoShell contains a lot of pre defined filters to show you for example age of snapshots, VMs that are ballooning, etc.

EcoShell is free, you can easily add your own powerpacks and create your own scripts to manage your virtual infrastructure in the way best suited for you.

The EcoShell helps you to:

• Gather
• Filter
• Remediate
• Report
• Integrate (more…)

by Gabe.  Comments

Today we celebrate the Dutch VMUG’s 5th anniversary. Started as a small user group with 55 members, it has now grown to 600 visitors !!!

Steve Herrod CTO of VMware speaks to the audience through a video message.

Next on stage Richard Garsthagen. (more…)

by Gabe.  Comments

Copied from Eric Sloof’s blog:

“Arne Fokkema was the first one to Twitter the #DutchVMUG tag this morning. Someone else has also added the famous words “the countdown has started”, it’s less than 48 hours to go until the official opening of the Dutch VMUG event 2009. If you’re not attending and want to follow the latest news, follow the #DutchVMUG tag or follow the individual attendees by clicking the appropriate Twitter icon. If you’re attending and want stay up-to-date with the latest news, at least follow the official VMUG Twitter account @dutchvmug, see you Friday.”

More info on the Dutch VMUG can be found here: www.vmug.nl

by Gabe.  Comments