| copyright | lastupdated | subcollection | content-type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2025-01-17 |
infrastructure-hub |
faq |
{{site.data.keyword.attribute-definition-list}}
{: #faqs-for-microsoft-software-ibm-cloud}
IBM is a Gold Certified member of the Microsoft Partner Network® and licensed to sell Microsoft® software under the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA). IBM is also an authorized license mobility Microsoft partner. Use of Microsoft software is solely subject to terms and conditions from Microsoft. When you use Microsoft software in {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}}, you are fully responsible for complying with Microsoft licensing terms.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud} {: faq}
{{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} has a strategic relationship with Microsoft to offer their suite of software. {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} offers native Microsoft software in its offerings. {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} also supports Bring Your Own Licenses (BYOL) for most Microsoft software.
{: #faq-microsoft-supported-software-ibm-cloud} {: faq}
You can run most of the Microsoft software on {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} such as
- Windows Server
- SQL Server
- Exchange
- SharePoint
- System Center
You can also use Remote Desktop Services that include some user-specific options such as
- Microsoft Office
- Skype
- Dynamics 365 products
{: #faq-microsoft-support-ibm-cloud} {: faq}
For Microsoft software that is purchased natively on {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}}, {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} support is the first point of contact for any issue with a Microsoft software-related issue.
IBM provides three support plans.
- Basic
- Advanced
- Premium.
For more information, see IBM support plans.
{: #faq-microsoft-support-ibm-cloud-solve} {: faq}
If Microsoft involvement is required to solve a potential issue, {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} support engages Microsoft support.
For client BYOL Microsoft software issues, you need to contact Microsoft support{: external}.
{: #faq-extended-support-microsoft-ibm-cloud} {: faq}
{{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} adheres to Microsoft End of Service (EOS) dates. If you purchase extended support updates from Microsoft, you can apply the same dates to your EOS Windows virtual servers.
What is the level of support between {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} and customers who use Microsoft software?
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-responsibilities} {: faq}
{{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} provides the cloud infrastructure and Microsoft stock images. {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} support covers any issue with the cloud infrastructure and the stock images, such as driver mismatch or licensing. For custom images, the client is responsible for any issues that are related to the custom image, such as a driver mismatch or licensing.
Is the cost of the Microsoft operating system included in the on-demand {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} virtual server cost?
{: #faq-microsoft-os-cost-ibm-cloud} {: faq}
For IBM stock images, the operating systems license cost is included as part of the virtual server cost that you see in the catalog.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-byol} {: faq}
Yes. {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} supports BYOL.
In 2019, Microsoft implemented licensing rules that customers must follow when they use Microsoft licenses on non-Microsoft cloud providers. On 29 August 2022, Microsoft changed their policy. The policy change announcement{: external} says that you can now deploy a Microsoft BYOL on shared (multi-tenant) hosts. Previously, this rule was limited to dedicated (single-tenant) hosts. Make sure that you read and understand the most recent Microsoft terms and condition{: external}.
A Microsoft blog post{: external} about BYOL provides more information. Microsoft also provides a training video{: external}. When a customer uses BYOL, they can license Windows Server with virtual servers and public multi-tenant virtual servers instead of physical servers.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-charges-byol} {: faq}
If you use the BYOL option, you are charged by IBM for only the {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} infrastructure.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-software-assurance} {: faq}
License mobility through Microsoft Software Assurance gives Microsoft Volume Licensing customers the flexibility to deploy certain server applications with active Software Assurance on-premises or in the cloud, without having to buy extra licenses. As a result, customers can take advantage of the lowest and flexible cost infrastructure for changing business priorities. Because of this new Software Assurance benefit, customers do not need to purchase new Microsoft Client Access Licenses (CALs) and no associated mobility fees exist.
{: #faq-microsoft-products-license-mobility-sa} {: faq}
The following applications are eligible with Software Assurance.
- Microsoft SQL Server database software
- Microsoft Exchange Server
- Microsoft SharePoint Server
- Microsoft Skype for Business Server
- Microsoft System Center servers
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Server for Customer Service and Sales applications.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-eos} {: faq}
In the lifecycle of an operating system, EOS is the last date that {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} delivers support for a version of a product. {{site.data.keyword.cloud_notm}} VPC EOS dates and Classic EOS dates align with Microsoft EOS dates.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-provision-eos} {: faq}
No. When a product reaches its EOS, you can't provision it from the IBM Catalog. You can use the existing EOS software that was provisioned before the EOS date, at your own risk.
{: #faq-microsoft-eos-dates-ibm-cloud} {: faq}
For more information about EOS dates for Microsoft software, see VPC Lifecycle for guest operating systems - Windows Server and Classic Lifecycle for operating systems and add-ons.
{: #faq-microsoft-ibm-cloud-using-eos} {: faq}
If the virtual server is provisioned before the EOS date, customer can continue to use EOS software at their own risk while no bug and security fixes are available.