Simple question, but one I can't find an answer to on the MSDN subscriber site: As an MSDN Professional Subscriber, can I install the same copy of Windows 2008 in multiple VMs at the same time?
The MSDN keys state that they can be used for "multiple activations", but they don't state whether these are sequential or concurrent. I seem to recall that Windows 2008 Enterprise has its own "you can run multiple instances in VMs" terms. Did I remember that right, and does that apply to MSDN subscriptions?
I believe that each key is allotted 10 activations without regard to concurrence or sequence of the installations. If the 10 activations are used up, Microsoft can be contacted to request additional keys.
A while back (I haven't checked recently), msdn subscribers also had access to an "online concierge" chat room, of sorts. While the microsoft personnel who worked in that chat room couldn't answer technical questions (clearly, considering the breadth of technical questions that would be asked), they could answer real questions about msdn subscriptions and the licenses and rules associated with the software. I asked them if I could use my MSDN license key to install a copy of an OS to work #home, per the agreement, e.g.
If i recall correctly, you can run 10 activations of each one concurrently in a test environment and not a production environment.
Yes - as long as you use them acording to msdn licence (developing, testing, presentation).
Your key will be valid for 10 activations, but you can ask for another key.
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Folks, I have question this morning that hopefully one of you techies can answer – during past few months, I have been heavily involved in preparing several SQL certifications study guides as it’s my desire to secure Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) or associate level. While I have previous experiences within this skill set and wanted to sharpen it by obtaining further experiences and hopefully securing this certification, it has been quite challenging setting up a home lab that allows me to create environment similar to what the big dogs use nowadays – windows server/several sql instances/virtualization and all that – due to lack of proper hardware or cost. In any case, my question today is to seek your advices and guidance on other possible options, particularly if this task can be accomplished using Amazons AWS – I understand they offer some level of space that can be used as playground or if one want to extend the capacity, subscription is an option. So, if I was to subscribe the paid version of it, is it possible to install all software needed to practice and experiment all needed technologies to complete and or master contents on the training kit. Again, I’m already using my small home network and have all proper software, but just feel that it’s not enough as some areas require higher computing power to properly test or rung specific areas..
Short: Yes
You can create a micro instance for free and install whatever you want on it. If your not familiar with using the CLI, it can be a bit daunting but there are plenty of guides online.
They also offer an RDS service where, they will allow you to set up a database instance and will maintain it for you but it's not free.
Edit
Link to there MS Server Page
http://aws.amazon.com/windows/
Azure is the windows cloud service, I think the comment was have you considered looking at azure instead of AWS
I've been programming in .NET professionally for three years and am always looking to sharpen my tools. I'm a sole developer for a company that recently purchased a MSDN subscription along with Visual Studio 2008 Professional. In what ways can the subscription be useful?
I'm used to googling 80% of the day to figure out how to do what I want to do, and I've learned a ton that way. I'm having trouble seeing what the subscription gains me.
An MSDN subscription provides much more than simply an offline version of their documentation. You get access to nearly all relevant software that Microsoft makes including Windows, SQL Server, Office, etc. It also includes previous versions, as well as versions that are not yet released to the public.
It's great for testing, developing for a new platform, and for learning about new features in other Microsoft products in which you may not normally be exposed to.
The MSDN subscription isn't necessarily about access to documentation but it gives you a few key pieces of functionality.
Software licenses for Visual Studio, Office, Windows, etc.
Technical Support Incidents - For when you can't answer the question
MSDN Magazine Subscription (Yes you can get this outside of this as well)
I'm sure that there are some other things, but the license and support benefits are by far the "reasons" to have a MSDN subscription.
If you really want to grow your ability as a .NET developer the best way is to spend time around other developers using the same toolset. There are just too many tools in the .NET environment to experience them all yourself. Especially since you don't have other co-workers explorering the .NET environment with you.
If I were you, I'd check the web for any .NET user's groups located near you and attend their meetings. Those can be great places to pick up new ideas/ways of using the tools.
Among other things you get a license for Visual Studio and Office. You also get access to a wide range of operating systems and applications you may use to test your own software. For instance you may want to test your software on different versions of Windows, or if you develop software for Exchange Server you probably need to install this product without having to buy a full production license just to be able to develop software.
I know just the question is a bit of heresey, but I'm curious...
Sure, there are the express editions. But when Microsoft is effectively competing for 'hearts and minds' in an OSS world, it seems more than a bit counterproductive to charge devs who wholeheartedly support .NET high subscription fees for Microsoft software. It's hard to imagine that, in the context of Microsoft's overall sales, dev licenses represent such a significant revenue stream as to justify the downsides.
So my question is: do you know of any instances where MSDN subscription rates have deterred a team from adopting .NET for a project - where cost played a role in a decision to go OSS instead?
I think MS has made huge inroads to making .Net cheaper to access and work with. With competent Express versions of Visual Studio and Sql Server, the only thing you need to pay for is Windows itself (both in your dev environment and server/production environment).
The only thing holding .Net back now is it may not be the right tool for every job regardless of cost.
It does to me. It makes me ask maybe I should try and become a Microsoft MVP because they get all the software for free.
You can't buy Expression Blend and Design for anything but the highest level on the License and that just ticks me off.
I don't think so, especially with the empower program for small ISVs -- $375 gets you 5 MSDN licenses and other goodies. After that there are Microsoft Action Packs as well as the entire partner program.
I've always gotten legal, free copies of Visual Studio. You can either download the Express versions which will handle most people's needs or go to the Launch events where they literally give out copies to everyone who shows up.
.NET Framework is a free download, so really the only thing left is a box running Windows.. and I'd be willing to bet that you've got one of those kicking around somewhere.
There's no reason to purchase an MSDN subscription.
It's not a barrier to entry, but it certainly represents a glass ceiling. You get a lot of things with the Express editions, but not EVERYTHING. There's a lot of little perks that come with the Pro versions - addins for instance +cough+ Resharper +cough+. I'd say you need Visual Studio 20xx Pro at a minimum to do any mid-range to Enterprise level development.
The cost of MS developer tools was the sole reason behind my Year of Linux. It's tough seeing all the free development tools for Linux, OS X and Java. If my job didn't depend on keeping up to date with .NET, I'd leave it for dead in a heartbeat.
In my view MSDN subscriptions are not a huge deterrant, as not only are there express editions, there are also trial versions of most products, and I think a basic MSDN subscription is not that expensive.
However licencing costs and licencing complexity of certain developer tools as well as certain products can be a huge obstacle which unfortunately is often not thought about at the beginning of projects.
I am aware of a number of projects which have chosen alternative technologies due to licencing costs and licencing complexity.
I'm currently on the Empower program but I'll be paying the full fare when it runs out
for the same reason I pay A$800/year for an AutoCAD subscription - it easily saves me more time & hassle than it costs in the long run by having everything I need at my fingertips.
I think I'm getting value for money when I consider both the licenses as well as the community - most of which I suppose is free anyway.
I consider it a legitimate cost of running my business and it's tax-deductible anyway.
I am trying to restart my career, my life, etc and my previous MSDN Universal sub expired in 2005. At the time it expired, I stopped working for a while. That coincided with Microsoft changing the cost and structure of that subscription program. To acquire a similar subscription today is out of the question. I do not have the funds. I am currently developing with old technology (VB6 and ASP) and will do so until I have the funds to purchase the MSDN sub that I want. I have downloaded the "express" versions of VS 2008 and SQL 2008 but, lets be frank, any serious developer is going to want to utilize the features that arent available in "express". In exploring this issue here on StackOverflow, I have seen others talk about the Empower program. It looks promising and I shall investigate it.
But, yes, the barrier to entry is the cost. Hopefully Empower lowers that, for a while. I agree with the requirement that after it expires I will need to pay full fare. I think thats only fair.
A similar question has been asked: MSDN subscriptions on the cheap?, but I am not interested in the solutions provided:
I am not developing a product for sale, I am starting up a consulting company, so Empower is not an option.
I have visited the links to MS regarding MSDN subscriptions and they do not point to a way to get an inexpensive copy.
I am not interested in suggestions that I become a MVP. Frankly, I'm desiring to focus on developing my company, not jumping through MS's hoops.
There are really only a few options available
Buy it at standard price
Become a Microsoft Certified Partner, and get a good discount (Actually much simpler than you would think, I did it in under 2 weeks for my business)
Find a MVP buddy that is willing to share a free giveaway
But in all reality, these are the ONLY legal options. You might also try calling Microsoft, you never know what might happen, they have many special programs that are not necessarily publicly advertised.
What you want is the Action Pack: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40016455.
(Note, as an employee of Microsoft, I apologize that you have to LOG OUT of your LiveID to see this page if that LiveID is not already attached to a Registered Partner.)
You don't have to be certified to get access to this, just registered (there are three levels of partnership: 1. Registered, 2. Certified, 3. Gold Certified). You do have to pass a fairly simple assessment test, though.
See the pdf referenced at https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40082823 for an overview of the process.
One last thing - if you are a student (I suspect the OP is not), you can get many Microsoft tools free from http://www.dreamspark.com.
Surely your consultancy will need a website in ASP.NET and perhaps your clients would like a widget that talks directly to a web service on your site? There's your product.
Also, look into "Value added Services" amongst the Empower documentation.
I'm on the Empower program - there really aren't any barriers to entry, as such.
I used to go directly through MS, but nowadays, I always order mine through Xtras.net - they have good multi-year discounts and you manage the subscription online through Microsoft's site as normal.
Does Empower require that the 'main' use is developing a product?
You can always develop a product as well - doesn't have to be very sucessfull, perhaps something to display the time in a window?
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As a long time Microsoft developer, I find MSDN to be an invaluable resource.
However, when tinkering at home I am not able to play with the best latest technologies and the different offerings coming from Microsoft as I cannot justify paying such a hefty price for what is essentially a pastime.
The Express editions are great, but fall flat when trying to use the more advanced feature I am used to from the versions I use at work. I cannot get the latest betas and play with the new offerings, not legally, anyway.
Apart from getting an MVP, how would one go about getting an MSDN subscription for an acceptable price for a non-professional environment?
I am aware of the Empower program, but I thought it was geared towards getting commercial software to market. If this is not the case, it appears like the way for me to go. Thanks!
MSDN subscriptions are per user rather than per device so as long as you're the only person using them I think you should be free to use them at home. I'm not aware of any differentiation being applied to the workplace, unless of course your workplace itself lays down such a rule.
From http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/subscriptions/aa948867.aspx:
MSDN Subscriptions are licensed to
individuals who may install the
provided software without restriction.
Software provided through MSDN
Subscriptions is licensed for design,
development, test and demonstration of
your applications.
See also http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/subscriptions/aa948864.aspx.
There is an Empower program that Microsoft has available. It gives you several Premium subscriptions for cheap, with the catch that you have to be an ISV working towards an actual product.
This (Not available anymore - broken link) gives you all the software you'll need for development, and even a few "real world" licenses for certain apps (like Office)
After a couple of years, you have to pay full price though. The logic being that you should have a product on the market, and can afford it.
+1 Luke's comment about using work MSDN license at home. I think that's the best answer for the OP.
Also consider
DreamSpark (for students): http://www.dreamspark.com
BizSpark (for startups building "next gen web apps"): http://www.bizspark.com
Empower (for ISVs wanting to partner with Microsoft): http://www.empowerforisv.com
(Note there is some overlap between BizSpark and Empower ... many ISVs will find them both useful)
And finally ... don't overlook trial versions and VHD's. Most Microsoft software is available for trial (30-360 days). Many are available via the "VHD Test Drive"
VHD Test Drive: http://microsoft.com/vhd
Check out the Microsoft Action Pack Development and Design subscription. It is designed to replace the Empower program and gives you access to some MS products at a great price point.
https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40132997
In agreement with comments already made - get an Empower subscription, it's geared up towards people like yourself. As I recall, you have 2 years to bring a product/solution to market (where market is very loosely defined) that uses some element of MS technology (again, where this is quite loosely defined). In return for quite a modest outlay, you get MSDN, a bunch of OS licenses and access to development tools and end-user application programs (XP, Vista, Office being obvious examples).
For instance, I develop in Delphi but write code to run on SQL Express 2005 and full-blown SQL Server 2005+, and this entitles me to purchase an Empower agreement. I get all the goodies, plus things like Visual Studio, SQL Server, Office and OS licenses. If you don't bring a solution to market in the time allocated, you can pay to extend your agreement or... well, I must admit I'm not sure. It's hard to see what bad thing can befall you if you try to produce something but ultimately fail - it's the American dream, right? You have to stop using the software at the end of the period, etc. :-)
If you want to develop for desktop Windows you really need some level of MSDN access, or a good broadband connection and some patience while you access the online materials. Empower is a fairly pain-free method of getting your hands on all the best tools for very little outlay indeed - you end up with a large pile of DVDs and CDs, and a few updates during the year. I'd say it was an essential purchase - particularly if this is viewed as a career investment, or some element of training or progression. It's not a lot of money at all (I speak as an ISV - everything I have to pay out truly comes from my pocket!).
You may want to talk to your boss about your opportunities to join MSDN for free. I work at a company using all Microsoft Software, and I get a free subscription, which comes with access to almost all of microsoft's software.
If you have an MSDN subscription at work, odds are good that your subscription license has a provision for you to be able to install things at home as well.
I know with our subscriptions here I'm allowed to install copies of operating systems and development tools at home since I obviously can't use the copies at work and at home at the same time.
Edit: I'm assuming that since you said you were a longtime MSDN developer that you are currently employed doing development on Microsoft platforms.
Even with just one licence you can get MSDN Under a Volume Licence. This is cheaper and (depending on exactly which VL program) can allow the cost to be spread across the VL period (once fully paid the licences become permanent).
Also means you get the VL builds and keys for Office/Windows rather than just the retail.
Many MVP's have gift subscriptions that they can give away, so it pays off to be visible in the community.
Speak at your local user group, start (or participate) in an open source project, start a blog... just generally get your name out there.
Eventually you'll get one (or an MVP :)).
What I've found is that if you pay attention there are plenty of opportunities to snag a free copy of Office or Visual Studio at local Microsoft events.
Good luck!