Install Windows Server OEM license - Possible ?

[Alex24]

Hello,

We will buy Dell servers with Windows Server 2016 Datacenter OEM.
We will install Proxmox 4.x.

- Will we be able to install Windows Server VMs with this OEM license?
- Will we have to make a specific setting or enter smbios parameters?
- Do you have any recommendation before to buy OEM licences and use them on Proxmox ?

Thanks.

 

[LnxBil]

Hi,

there has been some discussion about OEM server licenses on the forum, but I cannot give any (legal) advice here. I only recall that it is harder than setting some smbios parameters, but never tried it myself (only client systems). Sometimes you also need to virtualise the SLIC and probably other parameters as well. On the legal side, it depends on the country you're in and how they can handle OEM licenses. Most of the time, the manufacturer installed OSes are somehow restricted to the hardware, so you need to emulate a lot and this is most certainly neither supported not proper licensed.

Why don't you go the save route by buying servers without an OS and buying additional WS2016 licenses?

Best,

 

[Alex24]

Hello,

Thanks.
Until now, we bought licences after but the cost between OEM and "OPEN" is different and more advantageous in OEM version. So we will reflect.

 

[LnxBil]

Yes, of course OEM is cheaper, but if the license says that you have to run it on hardware and not virtualised, then you're in trouble if you do it.