October 28, 2015 at 12:14On the road with clouds: the reality of data centers and the role of SPLA in it
Go to the sites of data centers that provide virtual machines and servers, you will notice that there are more and more offers for renting infrastructure with preinstalled software. Moreover, there are a variety of configurations: from operating system images to database servers and CRM / ERP. The market dictates its conditions - and providers, data centers and simply owners of capacities go towards the client and are ready to help in the deployment of almost any infrastructure. But is everything cloudless in these clouds?
Often issues arise related to licensing of software that is placed on a rented infrastructure element. Simply put, not everyone knows that there are a number of licensing restrictions on installing software on virtual machines of data centers. Let's try to understand in more detail in this matter.
Indeed, today data centers offer many options for renting virtual capacities. At the same time, clients often request virtual machines with preinstalled Microsoft software or want to install their own set of Microsoft programs and applications. But installing such applications is not always legitimate in terms of licensing. For example, you can only transfer corporate software licenses to third-party shared servers if the data center has signed an SPLA (Service Provider License Agreement).
We suggest that you consider a few cases to understand how the typical data center services and SPLA licensing are related.
The diagram shows the main types of services that data centers provide to their customers and which are closely linked to licensing under the SPLA program if Microsoft software or software based on its use is supplied with virtual capacities.
In the case of Colocation and dedicated infrastructure , the data center client can freely install its own Microsoft software, regardless of the participation of the data center in the SPLA program. Nevertheless, the presence of SPLA will allow the data center to quickly close the client's need for new or missing Microsoft software by including this software in the service, which can be very convenient for the client and profitable for the data center.
When providing IaaS and SaaS servicesParticipation in the SPLA program will allow the data center to directly or indirectly use a wide range of Microsoft software products in its services: Windows Server, MS SQL, Dynamics CRM and many others.
If clients are granted access to virtual machines located on a common infrastructure , if the data center does not have a signed SPLA agreement, clients will not have the right to use Microsoft products in virtual machines on shared servers.
Many companies do not even suspect that if the data center does not allocate a separate infrastructure / hardware to the client, but only virtual machines (both separate and part of the multi-machine), then the customer does not have the right to install Microsoft products on them, independently purchased by him one of the corporate licensing programs (OLP, OV / S, EA / S ...) without an SA (Software Assurance) subscription and the data center has the status of a participant in the SPLA licensing program.
Moreover, even if there is a valid SA subscription, such a right (granted by one of the advantages of SA - License Mobility) appears in a limited list of products (for example, you cannot transfer Windows Server and user applications Office, Visio, Project, etc. ... ) Obviously, in this case, in order to enable the customer to transfer their own licenses, the data center will have to provide access to the finished virtual infrastructure running Windows Server as a service using the SPLA licensing program ...
Thus, if the provider wants to provide access to the necessary Microsoft products as a service (for example, to Windows Server as an IaaS service), and also to allow customers to use their own licenses on virtual machines - participation of the data center in the SPLA (Services Provider) licensing program License Agreement) required.
If the data center or the owner of the rental equipment is a member of the SPLA, he receives a number of serious benefits.
As you know, ignorance of the law does not exempt from liability. If the data center, not being a member of the SPLA, ignorantly provides its Microsoft software, the fault will be on it. If the client puts the software on the rented car, then, accordingly, this is the client’s problems, however, the reputation of the data center can also be compromised. In any case, such actions can lead to unpleasant consequences on the part of Microsoft and a temporary suspension of part of the company’s activities - exactly until all licensing issues are resolved.
Therefore, it is better to foresee everything in advance and to avoid this absolutely unjustified risk. Moreover, the demand for services will grow.
In Russia, cloud infrastructure services (IaaS) were initially in demand due to obvious advantages. However, today there are prerequisites for even more intensive development, and growth drivers are largely determined by the not-so-favorable general economic background: companies are saving on equipment purchases, removing software from capital costs, and are more and more inclined to introduce cloud technologies. The law on the storage of users' personal data on Russian servers, which entered into force on September 1, 2015, cannot be discounted.
IaaS is most popular with retailers with many distributed branches, online stores, banks, IT companies (developers and integrators), insurance companies and even the media. Typically, IaaS models provide the infrastructure elements of a data center (DPC) and associated network resources (such as a VPN). At the same time, the data center guarantees the availability, security and performance standard for the enterprise class. However, a “clean” lease is not the only form of relationship between a data center and its client. There are several more types of relationships, among which a configuration is possible that combines the client’s local network solutions and the cloud data center platform. This approach is not only quick to deploy and easy to scale, but also allows you to save money on IT: the customer does not invest in modernization,
The combination of Microsoft virtual capacities and software products (Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft SQL, Microsoft System Center) help create fault-tolerant and easily scalable solutions for implementing enterprise software implementation. It can be either accounting systems or highly loaded projects related to big data or media content. However, the provision of virtual capacities with Microsoft software installed on them without SPLA licensing is impossible and can lead to problems that will affect both the data center and the clients.
It is obvious that in the conditions of intensive development of IaaS data centers will begin to experience growth, a lot of players will appear on the market who will strive to master their segments and niches. In turn, this will stimulate the development of SaaS, as the tendency to supply software along with data center services is growing. Of course, not everything is as perfect as it seems at first glance, and there are technical limitations that small and medium-sized data centers, as well as their customers, may encounter. It can be difficult to deploy ultra complex corporate information systems, ERP, billing, banking processing in the cloud. These restrictions are associated not only with the prohibitive level of security, but also with restrictions that are dictated at the technological level, for example,
However, the IaaS sector will continue to grow and data centers should address the need for end-user software delivered on leased servers and virtual machines. And first of all, this should concern the issues of pre-installation and installation on request of software versions from Microsoft, which is unshakably popular in most areas of business. In addition, the supply of virtual machines with preinstalled Microsoft software is a source of additional income for the data center, which can earn both on the cost of licenses and on technical support of users. To realize this opportunity, one cannot do without participating in SPLA as a universal and maximally suitable licensing model for data centers that provide virtual rental capacities.
A flexible licensing policy, the lack of initial investments in the software, the availability of the latest, most modern and current software versions are an important part of the benefits of the SPLA licensing program . However, from the point of view of the data center and the companies that lease capacity, the participation of SPLA is the diversification of the business and the expansion of the portfolio of services that can cover customer requests. And this is an opportunity to navigate in a competitive space on time and manage to cut off part of the pie of the growing IaaS sphere. He promises to be delicious.
Often issues arise related to licensing of software that is placed on a rented infrastructure element. Simply put, not everyone knows that there are a number of licensing restrictions on installing software on virtual machines of data centers. Let's try to understand in more detail in this matter.
SPLA solves data center problems
Indeed, today data centers offer many options for renting virtual capacities. At the same time, clients often request virtual machines with preinstalled Microsoft software or want to install their own set of Microsoft programs and applications. But installing such applications is not always legitimate in terms of licensing. For example, you can only transfer corporate software licenses to third-party shared servers if the data center has signed an SPLA (Service Provider License Agreement).
We suggest that you consider a few cases to understand how the typical data center services and SPLA licensing are related.
The diagram shows the main types of services that data centers provide to their customers and which are closely linked to licensing under the SPLA program if Microsoft software or software based on its use is supplied with virtual capacities.
In the case of Colocation and dedicated infrastructure , the data center client can freely install its own Microsoft software, regardless of the participation of the data center in the SPLA program. Nevertheless, the presence of SPLA will allow the data center to quickly close the client's need for new or missing Microsoft software by including this software in the service, which can be very convenient for the client and profitable for the data center.
When providing IaaS and SaaS servicesParticipation in the SPLA program will allow the data center to directly or indirectly use a wide range of Microsoft software products in its services: Windows Server, MS SQL, Dynamics CRM and many others.
If clients are granted access to virtual machines located on a common infrastructure , if the data center does not have a signed SPLA agreement, clients will not have the right to use Microsoft products in virtual machines on shared servers.
Many companies do not even suspect that if the data center does not allocate a separate infrastructure / hardware to the client, but only virtual machines (both separate and part of the multi-machine), then the customer does not have the right to install Microsoft products on them, independently purchased by him one of the corporate licensing programs (OLP, OV / S, EA / S ...) without an SA (Software Assurance) subscription and the data center has the status of a participant in the SPLA licensing program.
Moreover, even if there is a valid SA subscription, such a right (granted by one of the advantages of SA - License Mobility) appears in a limited list of products (for example, you cannot transfer Windows Server and user applications Office, Visio, Project, etc. ... ) Obviously, in this case, in order to enable the customer to transfer their own licenses, the data center will have to provide access to the finished virtual infrastructure running Windows Server as a service using the SPLA licensing program ...
Thus, if the provider wants to provide access to the necessary Microsoft products as a service (for example, to Windows Server as an IaaS service), and also to allow customers to use their own licenses on virtual machines - participation of the data center in the SPLA (Services Provider) licensing program License Agreement) required.
If the data center or the owner of the rental equipment is a member of the SPLA, he receives a number of serious benefits.- Lack of legal issues related to Microsoft licensing. The SPLA program provides comprehensive licensing advice from the SPLA Reseller .
- Microsoft software allows you to deliver software that covers all business needs: office suite MS Office, MS Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, MS Project, etc. ... Installing software on request or as part of a virtual machine configuration allows an SPLA member to receive additional income from the sale of software access services and further technical support.
- Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft SQL quite often provide the basis for deploying business-critical applications (CRM, ERP, corporate email, etc.). Providing them on leased servers opens up new customer retention options.
- Flexible working conditions under the program allow the data center to include SaaS and IaaS solutions based on Microsoft software in the range of its offers without any risks or financial costs: SPLA does not require advance payments and does not contain an obligation to increase the number of licenses used from month to month, while All royalties are paid ex post.
- SPLA makes it possible to create any combination of Microsoft software delivery, which means that a program participant will be able to quickly respond to changes in the customer’s business and is guaranteed to keep the client.
- The data center can initially create and offer configurations with preinstalled software. Thus, you can reach the segment of customers who want to rent a virtual machine with software.
As you know, ignorance of the law does not exempt from liability. If the data center, not being a member of the SPLA, ignorantly provides its Microsoft software, the fault will be on it. If the client puts the software on the rented car, then, accordingly, this is the client’s problems, however, the reputation of the data center can also be compromised. In any case, such actions can lead to unpleasant consequences on the part of Microsoft and a temporary suspension of part of the company’s activities - exactly until all licensing issues are resolved.
Therefore, it is better to foresee everything in advance and to avoid this absolutely unjustified risk. Moreover, the demand for services will grow.
IaaS - why do companies need infrastructure in the cloud?
In Russia, cloud infrastructure services (IaaS) were initially in demand due to obvious advantages. However, today there are prerequisites for even more intensive development, and growth drivers are largely determined by the not-so-favorable general economic background: companies are saving on equipment purchases, removing software from capital costs, and are more and more inclined to introduce cloud technologies. The law on the storage of users' personal data on Russian servers, which entered into force on September 1, 2015, cannot be discounted.
IaaS is most popular with retailers with many distributed branches, online stores, banks, IT companies (developers and integrators), insurance companies and even the media. Typically, IaaS models provide the infrastructure elements of a data center (DPC) and associated network resources (such as a VPN). At the same time, the data center guarantees the availability, security and performance standard for the enterprise class. However, a “clean” lease is not the only form of relationship between a data center and its client. There are several more types of relationships, among which a configuration is possible that combines the client’s local network solutions and the cloud data center platform. This approach is not only quick to deploy and easy to scale, but also allows you to save money on IT: the customer does not invest in modernization,
The combination of Microsoft virtual capacities and software products (Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft SQL, Microsoft System Center) help create fault-tolerant and easily scalable solutions for implementing enterprise software implementation. It can be either accounting systems or highly loaded projects related to big data or media content. However, the provision of virtual capacities with Microsoft software installed on them without SPLA licensing is impossible and can lead to problems that will affect both the data center and the clients.
It is obvious that in the conditions of intensive development of IaaS data centers will begin to experience growth, a lot of players will appear on the market who will strive to master their segments and niches. In turn, this will stimulate the development of SaaS, as the tendency to supply software along with data center services is growing. Of course, not everything is as perfect as it seems at first glance, and there are technical limitations that small and medium-sized data centers, as well as their customers, may encounter. It can be difficult to deploy ultra complex corporate information systems, ERP, billing, banking processing in the cloud. These restrictions are associated not only with the prohibitive level of security, but also with restrictions that are dictated at the technological level, for example,
However, the IaaS sector will continue to grow and data centers should address the need for end-user software delivered on leased servers and virtual machines. And first of all, this should concern the issues of pre-installation and installation on request of software versions from Microsoft, which is unshakably popular in most areas of business. In addition, the supply of virtual machines with preinstalled Microsoft software is a source of additional income for the data center, which can earn both on the cost of licenses and on technical support of users. To realize this opportunity, one cannot do without participating in SPLA as a universal and maximally suitable licensing model for data centers that provide virtual rental capacities.
A flexible licensing policy, the lack of initial investments in the software, the availability of the latest, most modern and current software versions are an important part of the benefits of the SPLA licensing program . However, from the point of view of the data center and the companies that lease capacity, the participation of SPLA is the diversification of the business and the expansion of the portfolio of services that can cover customer requests. And this is an opportunity to navigate in a competitive space on time and manage to cut off part of the pie of the growing IaaS sphere. He promises to be delicious.