Can a Windows Server perpetual license be hosted in a Public Cloud?

[nick_Anag]

Dear team,

We are an Indirect Provider in CSP and we need to make a decisions for a significant amount of licenses we have. To help you on the reply, we are having our own Datacenter structure on VMs (IaaS), however the licenses discussed in this scenario are not part of our Datacenter structure.

More specifically, we would like to evaluate if "Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services - 1 User CAL (Commercial)" perpetual licenses can successfully hosted and utilized under a Public Cloud infrastructure.

Does Flexible Virtualization Benefit help us at this point? Should we follow any guide to become an Authorized Outsourcer? Does the pricing of the "Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services - 1 User CAL (Commercial)" perpetual licenses stays the same?

Much appreciated in advance!
Nick

[#2]

@Steve_Leach1 

You can't buy SA thru CSP, but CSP does have certain SA benefits included in their Software licenses. Check the product terms for details on that.

Also, I think this overview clearly shows what's possible and what's not with using Software Perpetual from CSP. Software Perpetual can only be used on dedicated hardware, not shared/public.  

[#3]

Dear @MartijnElfers,

Much appreciated for the reply.

Based on my understanding while reading the documentation around Flexible Virtualization, we as an Indirect Provider in CSP with owned Datacenters are being part of the "Authorized Outsourcer" shown in your screenshot. Am I correct?

If yes, then you are also correct that CSP perpetual licenses cannot be deployed in public cloud. Do you agree with my thinking Martijn?

Thank again for your really important addition.

Best regards,
Nick 

[#4]

Yes, indeed. You can't use CSP Perpetual on shared hardware via an Authorized Outsourcer. It needs to be dedicted hardware. Or license thru CSP Subscriptions.

[#5]

Hi @nick_Anag

We are an Indirect Provider in CSP and we need to make a decisions for a significant amount of licenses we have. To help you on the reply, we are having our own Datacenter structure on VMs (IaaS), however the licenses discussed in this scenario are not part of our Datacenter structure.

More specifically, we would like to evaluate if "Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services - 1 User CAL (Commercial)" perpetual licenses can successfully hosted and utilized under a Public Cloud infrastructure.

Based on further research of the Windows Licensing Guide, this scenario is not capable. 

Alternative:

You would need a Windows server subscription license with active SA (allocated by virtual machine) in order to have it moved to Authorized Outsourcers’ clouds (on shared or dedicated servers).  See the Windows Server licensing guide for details if you decide to take that option, however, you would have to purchase via a different program since SA & SA benefits are not offered in CSP.

Review the Windows Server Licensing Guide:

and pg.10:

Does Flexible Virtualization Benefit help us at this point?

All products that have a software component that are licensed via a subscription license or a license with active Software Assurance are eligible for the Flexible Virtualization Benefit. 

Should we follow any guide to become an Authorized Outsourcer? 

An Authorized Outsourcer means any third-party service provider that is not a Listed Provider and is not using Listed Provider as a Data Center Provider as part of the outsourcing service. 

Does the pricing of the "Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services - 1 User CAL (Commercial)" perpetual licenses stays the same? (see responses above)

I hope this answers your questions. Otherwise, let me know and we can move this post to one of the Windows Community's. 

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#6]

Dear @LicensingConcierge1 

Really much appreciated for your reply.

Kindly let me share the replies internally and revert back if more clarifications are required or to marking any response as the best one.

Best regards,
Nick