Licensing Windows OS on the Imagicle Virtual Appliance
The Imagicle Virtual Appliance ships with Windows Server 2016 Standard OS and the Imagicle UC Suite in 30-day evaluation mode (180 days for OS). The OS can be activated with both an OEM, retail or volume license of Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition. If the customer has a valid product key for one of these, it can be applied through the simplified activation tool available on the Desktop of the Virtual Appliance. If you do not have a license and you need to buy a new one, follow one of the suggestions below.
Purchasing MS Windows Server 2019 Standard Open License and downgrade to Windows 2016
Imagicle recommends you to purchase MS Windows Server 2019 Standard edition Open License, to get access to the Volume licensing program and downgrade to Windows Server 2016.
Windows Server 2019 Standard edition is licensed per core with a minimum of 16 cores, that are also the max required by the highest virtual machine Imagicle hardware requirements.
So the products to purchase and fitting any Imagicle environment are:
- 8x Windows Server 2016 2 cores, product code 9EM-00124
- 4x Windows Server 2016 1 device CAL, product code: R18-05121
For Windows Server 2019:
- 8x Windows Server 2019 2 cores, product code: 9EM-00653
- 4x Windows Server 2019 1 device CAL, product code: R18-05767
As the Opens License is part of the Microsoft Volume licensing program, it requires 5 items minimum purchase: that is the reason of the 4 CAL suggestion, otherwise no need of CAL for Imagicle UC Suite usage.
The Windows Server 2019/2016 Standard Open License can be activated on 1 physical server or up to 2 virtual machines on the same physical server (1 POSE or 2 VOSE). It is not tied to a specific hardware, so can be moved to a different physical server during its life cycle.
The average retail price of the Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition OLP 16 core + 4 CAL is roughly €1.050 in Europe and $1.050 in US/Canada/MEA regions. Note: If end users have an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft, typical in medium to large companies, they will probably provide the necessary Windows Server license.
Purchasing MS Windows Server 2016 Standard OEM
You can save money by using OEM Windows Server 2016 (product code: P73-07113) from the hardware manufacturer or by purchasing the related product codes: no additional CAL needed.
Moreover, Windows Server 2016 OEM Licenses can be activated on 1 physical server or up to 2 virtual machines on the same physical server (1 POSE or 2 VOSE). The limitation of the OEM version is the association with relevant hardware, which should remain the same during its whole life cycle. The average retail price of OEM Windows Server 2016 Standard Editions is roughly €600 in Europe and $600 in US/Canada/MEA regions.
This is the ideal solution to run Imagicle UC Suite directly on vendor servers, like Cisco Business Edition/Cisco UCS.
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