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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Dept. Site Licensing

Your Source For Dept. Software Licenses.

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Introduction.

The University of Nebraska offers Microsoft licenses through two licensing programs: "Microsoft Campus " and "Microsoft Academic Select. The Microsoft Campus Agreement covers:

  • Windows operating system upgrades (excluding SERVERS).
  • Office Standard and Professional.
  • FrontPage.
  • Visual Studio Professional edition.
  • Client Access software.

The Select agreement covers all remaining software (e.g. Project, Publisher, Windows 2000 Server, SQL server, etc.)  This page further describes this Select agreement.
 
Microsoft Select Agreement, Effective Date: 01-DEC-2005, Expected Effective End Date 30-NOV-2008.
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Microsoft Select Overview.

As part of this select agreement, Microsoft provides us with an initial set of CDs (Select Product CD-ROMS), and monthly updated CDs.  All CDs include a single 'Select Product Key' uniquely identifying the University.

The Select Product CD-ROMs are meant for duplication and multiple installations.  This agreement grants us the right to duplicate 'Select Product CD-ROMS' for licensed users.

This select agreement also grants us "Downgrade Rights", that is the right to use a prior version of a licensed software instead of the most current one (e.g. purchase Office XP, install Office 2000).

Licensing Product Use Rights.

This following Microsoft web link provides access to licensing terms, conditions and supplemental information relevant to the use of products licensed through Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs.  The page allows you to query and retrieve information for any particular product.

The link is: http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/

Multi-User Environment Licensing Policy.

Microsoft licenses its desktop application products on a per-Computer basis.  Per-Computer licensing means a valid license must be obtained for each "Computer" (see below for definition) that "Runs" (see below for definition) the product.  The product may not be shared or used concurrently by different Computers.  For instance, in a Terminal Server environment, you must acquire a license for all devices running a Microsoft software application product (e.g. Office) from the Terminal Server.

Definition of "Computer" in the context of the applications End User Licensing Agreement.
The term "Computer" encompasses client hardware devices, standalone computers, workstations, terminals, handheld PCs, pagers, "smart phones," or other digital electronic devices that enable an end user to "Run" Microsoft software.

Meaning of "Run / Running" an application from a network server:
"Run" or "Running" an application means using, accessing, displaying, running or installing the product, regardless of the medium of access to the product.

Virtual Server Licensing.

Virtualization allows organizations to run multiple operating systems on a single server, each operating system running independently from the others, and each operating system running its own set of applications.

This technology allows for server consolidation, to test new software, and to meet computing peak demands capacity by moving applications between physical servers.

As a foundation, virtualization requires a machine running both Windows 2003 R2 Enterprise server and Virtual Server 2005 (the latest being a free download from Microsoft web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/software/default.mspx ).

On top of that foundation users can run Microsoft servers and applications licensed as follow:

Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition.

Per each license purchased, you may run on the licensed server, at any one time:

  • One instance of the server software in one physical operating system environment, and

  • Up to four instances of the server software in virtual operating system environments (only one instance per virtual operating system environment). You may run an instance of Standard Edition in place of Enterprise Edition in any of these virtual operating system environments.

If you run all five permitted instances at the same time, the instance of the server software running in the physical operating system environment may be used only to run hardware virtualization software and to manage and service operating system environments on the licensed server.

All Other Microsoft Servers and Applications.

The basic licensing rule is that one virtual CPU equals one physical CPU.  To run instances of the software in virtual operating system environments, you need a software license for each virtual CPU. If a virtual operating system environment uses a fraction of a virtual CPU, the fraction counts as a full virtual CPU.

Example.

Consider for instance a machine with 4 physical CPUs and running both Windows 2003 R2 Enterprise server and Virtual Server.  Per definition, that machine can serve up to four virtual CPUs (one virtual CPU per physical CPU).

You want to run SQL server on one of the virtual CPU, and also run BizTalk Server on two virtual CPUs.

  • You install two more instances of Windows 2003 Enterprise Server (free), one instance being set to use one virtual CPU, the other instance being set to use two virtual CPUs.

  • You purchase one instance of SQL Server and install it on top of the first Windows 2003 instance (one virtual CPU).

  • You purchase two instances of BizTalk Server and install on top of the 2nd Windows 2003 instance (two virtual CPU).

Later on, you decide to run a legacy application on a Windows 2000 server environment.

  • You acquire one instance of Windows 2000 server and install it, so it uses the last remaining virtual CPU.

  • You acquire one instance of the legacy application and install it on top of the Windows 2000 instance (last virtual CPU).

Important Notes.

One license per CPU model.  Whether a CPU contains dual-core or multi-core processors, for licensing purposes Microsoft only sees one CPU, meaning that users would purchase a license per CPU, not a license per core in each CPU.

Passive server licenses are free: Once you purchase a license for an 'active' server, that license and media grant you free install rights on a second 'passive' server (e.g. for clustering, disaster recovery, and backup purposes). Please remember that they must be passive, which means that you cannot have people actively using the 'passive' server.

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Authorized Users & Sites.

This licensing program is only available to departments - not to individuals.
The software must be installed on University owned/leased computer(s).
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Extra Documentation.

The university bookstores and booksellers carry manuals, guides, books, etc. If you need original Microsoft manuals, then contact a large account reseller such as Micro Warehouse.
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Extra Media (CD-ROM, disks).

For software not installed on the server (Microsoft servers pool products), users automatically receive a copy of the media when they order software license(s).
For software installed on the server, licensed users download the software from the server, and may order copies of the media.

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Home and Portable Copies.

The primary user of a Select license may make a copy of the following applications for his or her exclusive use on either a home or portable computer.
    - Project
 Applications must be deleted either at the term of University Licensing agreement, or upon any event which causes the user to no longer be a University employee.

For Campus Agreement licenses (e.g. FrontPage, Office, Windows), click here.

For all other products the basic rule is that no copy is allowed.
For details regarding the end user agreement, rerun the setup/install program for your product.  During one of the first steps, the program displays the full text of the license agreement. Read it to answer all of your questions, then cancel to exit.
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Licenses Expiration and Renewal.

Once you purchase a license you are entitled to use the software forever.
However, you must access the server within 30 days to install / upgrade the software.
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News And Announcements.

From the Vendor.

To get the latest news regarding Microsoft products, visit the Web site.
    - For the very latest news, check: http://www.microsoft.com

Latest Licensing News.

Accessible from the "News" link or by clicking here.

Real Time Licensing News.

Accessible from the "Mailing List" link or by clicking here.

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Minimum Requirements & Pricing.

Type an optional description and click on the button below to check pricing and more.


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Technical Support.

On-Line Technical Information.

Microsoft provides a wealth of technical information on the World Wide Web. This site is fairly easy to navigate and requests may be filtered by products. Features include:
    - Fast Tips
    - Frequently Asked Questions
    - Knowledge Base
    - Software Library
    - Troubleshooters
The support section is located at: http://support.microsoft.com/

Be Prepared.

When you call for technical support, be at your computer with the following information:
    - Name and version number of the product.
    - Type of hardware, including network if applicable.
    - Exact wording of any message that appeared on your screen.
    - Description of what happened and what you where doing at thetime.
    - Description of how you tried to solve the problem.

Vendor Phone Support.

For a hefty fee, users may call Priority Support (24hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding holidays).  For details follow the hyperlink above.

University Phone Support.

Contact your Help Desk.
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