Software Licensing for Virtual Networks
Virtualization is now in widespread use amongst the IT community. Simply defined, a virtual machine is hardware, simulated on a host computer. This virtual hardware runs a complete (guest or child) operating system, while severely restricting its ability to interact with the real environment around it. All guest systems and the host share the same physical hardware, but without immediate access allowed to the guest systems. They see a simulated – virtual – machine, which can be saved and recovered with considerable ease.
Applications of virtualization in enterprise networks typically involve resource sharing, essentially splitting a single server into separate servers, each one utilizing a fraction of the CPU, storage, and other resources. With the addition of hypervisor control software, modern-day virtualization goes well beyond resource sharing and can involve data, desktops, servers, operating systems, and network functions.
While end users are reaping the economic benefits of virtualization. ISVs, on the other hand, need to consider the ramifications of virtual machines on software licensing and how licenses can be misused in such environments.
Contact us to learn more about licensing in virtual environments. Send us an email to info@software-licensing.com or submit the form below.
"*" indicates required fields