Update: Microsoft Desktop Virtualization Licensing changes – VECD no more, here’s VDA
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As of July 1, 2010, Microsoft has eliminated the VECD license, eliminated the need to purchase an additional license for Windows clients with Software Assurance (SA), and introduced Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licensing.
Who does this effect?
Anyone accessing server-hosted virtual desktops with a Windows OS. Generally, you do not license the copies of the Windows OS that live on the server, you license the end points/access points that access these copies. The access point subscription licenses can be boiled down to this:
- VDA is a subscription license that is for access points that do not have a qualifying copy, or any copy, of Windows. (Aka, a thin terminal.)
- SA is also a subscription license that enables access to hosted desktops, but it includes a license for the Windows OS for the end point. (For example, you use a Win7 laptop to access the virtual machine.)
How is this different than VECD?
If you are a Windows client Software Assurance (SA) customer, you no longer need to buy VECD to access your virtual desktops, it is now included. (This saves $23 a year.)
If you want to use a device without SA to access a virtual desktop, you need to purchase VDA - a $100 annual subscription. This is quite similar to VECD, but it is $10 a year less, and they have lifted some of the restrictions on access. You can now access desktops from devices both inside and outside the firewall.
So how does this map to the use cases? Lets try it out:
Use Case 1: Enterprise buys a new PC or laptop that comes with an OEM copy of Windows.
VDI License Implications: This OEM Windows license is based on the physical machine you purchased, and is not transferrable to the hosted virtual desktop, which has a separate copy of Windows running on a server. So, you have two choices if you want this new PC to be an access point for VDI:
* Bring the new PC (*note must be less than 90 days from purchase) under Software Assurance. Bringing it under Software Assurance will cost roughly $50 per year.
* Purchase a VDA license at an annual subscription cost of $100 per year.
Use Case 2: Enterprise wishes to re-purpose an old PC or laptop into a “dumbed-down thin client” that can serve as a VDI access point.
VDI License Implications: If the PC is eligible for SA (meaning it was already covered by SA), you can choose to maintain the annual SA subscription ($50 per year).
If the old PC or laptop is not eligible for SA, you'll need to purchase the VDA license at a subscription cost of $100 per year.
Use Case 3: Enterprise purchases a new thin client to use as a VDI access point.
VDI License Implications: By definition, a machine that does not have a Windows license or run Windows cannot be added to SA, so this use case will require the VDA license at a subscription cost of $100 per year.
Use Case 4: Bring Your Own PC (BYOPC).
VDI License Implications: Consultants or employees who buy their own PCs have a home license for Windows. Since the license does not belong to corporate, it is not eligible for SA. Enterprises must purchase a VDA license for each PC at a cost of $100 per year.
Use Case 5: Employees use a work PC to access their hosted virtual desktops at work, and occasionally use their home PC to access their virtual desktop to work from home.
VDI License Implications: The work PC will need to be licensed as mentioned above. If the primary user of the machine is the person that works at home, then the SA license covers occasional home use.
Use Case 6: Enterprise supplies a thin terminal to access VDI at work, and a laptop for travel.
VDI License Implications: This use case is interesting – you need VDA for the thin terminal, $100 per year, but you may not need any licensing for the laptop, the new VDA license includes the right for the primary user to access corporate VDI desktops from non-corporate PCs, such as internet cafes and home PCs.
For full details, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/solutions/virtualization/operating-system/
The good news here is that Unidesk will not do anything to increase your VDA fees. Just be sure to design in your access point license planning well ahead of implementation.
Did I miss something? Let me know!
Nicole Reineke
Director, Product Management
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Comments
=> If you delete the windows operation system on that old PC and replace it with some kind of "software thinclient" (e.g. available from igel, wyse, liscon, ...) to realy be able to save money on managing these endpoints. Today these endpoints are covered by SA and that's why you don't need additional VDA licences. But if you delete the windows OS (but you are still willing to pay the SA for the device !) you loose the abilitiy to do so. A device without windows OS on it can't be under SA.
I think you have talk to microsoft case by case and try to get a special arrangement about that...
VDI License Implications: If the PC is eligible for SA (meaning it was already covered by SA), you can choose to maintain the annual SA subscription ($50 per year).
If the old PC or laptop is not eligible for SA, you'll need to purchase the VDA license at a subscription cost of $100 per year.
Gartner pointed out a few other interesting/confusing caveats in the new licensing (see article "Microsoft's Virtual Client Licensing Changes Are a Good Start" published in March 2010)
- If an employee visits another office and wants to access their Virtual Desktop, the machine they use must have SA or VDA. So, they can access their desktop from a library (with 'extended roaming'), but not their remote office.
- There doesnt seem to be a provision for accessing the desktops from a hand-held. So logging in from an iPad may be breaking your contract.
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