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Understand complexities and responsibilities of licensing

Software distribution:

Full/Upgrade

Full payable license to use the product. Incorporates Single-User, Multi-User, Site and can be specific to a machine or a user.

Open Source

Software is usually free, but can have 'fair' licensing fees. Code for the development is available for scrutiny and open for discussion and improvement.

Freeware

Software is freely distributed with 'no strings attached'.

Shareware

Software is freely distributed with request for support/donation to the developer and relies on a donation system.

Ad-ware

Software is freely distributed and is supported by popup advertisements or data exchange. This software sometimes relays non user specific information back to marketing databases.

Trial-ware

Software freely distributable however has some form of time restriction, nag screen or perhaps limited features requiring an upgrade.

Spy-ware

Distributed as freeware however secretly relays user information (data mining), either specific or non specific depending on how malicious, to central databases often for marketing and email spamming.

Mal-ware

Malicious software (Virus, Trojan, Worm, Key loggers) that has intention of damaging files or stealing users private information).

All of the above have licenses and many programs are marketed with combinations of these. For example a software package may be distributed as trial ware but must become a full license to continue use.

A technician must display a professional attitude to licensing and recognise the legal and career implications of a flippant attitude to this topic.

Client Access Licenses or CALs

• Why are there so many licensing options?
• What is a CAL?
• Describe the term Per Seat
• Describe the term Per Server
• How might an administrator manage Per Server licensing?
• Which license type is where the software is licensed to a client machine?

Two different licensing models for networked clients depending on individual business needs.

1. Per seat is a license for EACH workstation attached to the server. Cheaper but not flexible.
2. Per server is a license for a number of simultaneous users to connect from any workstation. This means the company can install the software on unlimited machines, provided access was restricted to a limited number of simultaneous users. More expensive with flexibility.

Data Protection

Have you or your employer disposed of a PC without destroying the data on the HDD?

• Why can files be recovered?
• What process recreates the track and sector structure of a HDD?
• What precautions are necessary when disposing hard drives? Why?
• What precautions would you take when data is lost to enable successful data recovery?
• How might you recover data from a HDD with a mechanical failure?
• How might you revive recover data from a HDD with a overheating problem?

Virtual Machines

With Processing power exceeding the needs of the typical workstation developers have created a software solution to emulate a PC in a virtual environment. VMWare is one such developer and has a popular free Virtual Machine player here

A virtual machines consists of three components.

1. The player (as above)
2. The *.vmx file which holds the machines configuration
3. and a *.vmdk file which is a virtual HDD

The main PC is known as the Host OS and the Virtual Machine is known as the Guest OS.

Interestingly it was published recently that Microsoft had written a new paragraph into their EULA for Vista that it would be considered a violation of the license to run in a Virtual Machine... Below are two relavent sections of the EULA.

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. Before you use the software under a license, you must assign that license to one device (physical hardware system). That device is the “licensed device.” A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate device. a. Licensed Device. You may install one copy of the software on the licensed device. You may use the software on up to two processors on that device at one time. Except as provided in the Storage and Network Use (Ultimate edition) sections below, you may not use the software on any other device.

6. USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against playing or accessing content or using applications protected by other digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights management services or using full volume disk drive encryption.

Here is a VM that needs to be configured - NewVirtualMachine.zip

You can edit the configuration file, and the new HDD using the Open Source VMManager.

Further reading

Some interesting facts about licencing (Not promoting the software though)

Case Study 1

Case Study 2

Case Study 3

Virtual Machine - How to create

Virtual Machine - How to modify