Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

Steve S — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:33:14 GMT

For Exch-LCS VHD, I tried to activate using my MSDN product key for W2K3 server, but it says I've entered an invalid key (i've double-checked it and I know it's right). The ReadMe.htm for the VHD clearly states that you can activate with an MSDN key, but that must not be correct. So most I can do is use it for 30 days at a time I guess. Still, these VHDs are a tremendous help for development & testing - thank you MS!

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

Benjamin Armstrong — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:55:17 GMT

Desmond Lee -

The VMs contain trial software, that will expire. You do not need to activate them.

mcp -

Works fine with VPC. As for redistributing - you will need to contact the email address provided in the announcement to get the details on doing that.

Ian - Good suggestion.

GH - I am not sure what exact you are complaining about. Can you provide me more details?

rob -

Microsoft is actually very restrictive of their evaluation software. For instance - did you know that Microsoft has neven granted redistribution rights to anyone for trial versions of Windows?

Cheers,

Ben

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

rob — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:53:57 GMT

On the one hand you can understand why MS did this. If they released VM's with no expiration date then pretty soon (ie, about the time it takes to create a torrent) it would be everywhere on the planet. On the other hand, MS trusts us Technet subscribers with unlimited evals of all their software anyway. Why should this be different? Perhaps keep the timebombed version where it is but put a version that allows you to use your technet product code on the Technet site? Sure would save alot of time.

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

GH — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 06:12:45 GMT

And it comes without IIS, funny guys.

What exactly are we supposed to evaulate ? And in 30 days.

I was happy for an hour or so then I dicovered this was just crap. I actually started beliving that MS cared about developers and stopped this nonsense with requiring licenses for VIRTUAL machines.

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

Ian — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:06:06 GMT

Ben, a set of VHD's to test Cluster Server would be *really* handy.

3 would do it, and AD, and 2 nodes..

of course, a VHD with SQL2005 and VS2005 would also save a whole days worth of install and config ;-)

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

John Schneider — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:49:21 GMT

I've downloaded and installed the Windows Server 2003 vhd. In the readme file it specifically says that the image may NOT be redistributed. Also, there are a couple other signficant points:

"After 30 days, the evaluation period is over and the image should be discarded."

You can activate your copy by using your product key from your MSDN subscription, but get this:

"PLEASE NOTE: This Image has been created using evaluation software and will automatically cease to function on March 9, 2008. Even if you activate the product by using an MSDN or TechNet Product Key, this image will be unusable as of March 9, 2008."

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

John Schneider — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:06:57 GMT

It specifically says that you have to use Virtual Server 2005 R2. But, my guess is that if you remove the VS additions, you could then bring it up in VPC and add the VPC additions?

But this begs the question, why would you want to run a server system in VPC?

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

mcp — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:18:30 GMT

Can I use this with Virtual PC 2004 or do I definitely need Virtual Server?

Another question: Can I redistribute it to my customers?

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

Rami Santrisi — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:04:38 GMT

o yeah, and activation doesn't need keys! if they setup everything for you, they have already put in an eval key, the way they get it to become a trial is mandating that you activate within a certain period and counting down from there.

re: Microsoft Launches VHD Evaluation Program

Rami Santrisi — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:02:19 GMT

well, i just downloaded the 3 files for the exchange server VHD trial. and i'm guessing you have to activate, and when you do, from then you should have i think 180 days to evaluate the windows server 2003, and as for exchange 2007 i'm thinking until release (there is probably some clause somewhere, i usually read fine print).