Microsoft Flexible Virtualization Benefit

Microsoft Flexible Virtualization Benefit #

Are the operating systems (OS) on the virtual machines pre-activated? #

No, the OS images we provide are not pre-activated. You must activate the OS using a valid and eligible license key.

How to activate my Windows Server licence? #

To activate Windows Server license, please refer to the following URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kms-client-activation-keys?tabs=server2025%2Cwindows1110ltsc%2Cversion1803%2Cwindows81#windows-server-2022;

What Microsoft licenses may I use on myDelska platform? #

All Microsoft licenses must be obtained from legitimate sources. License usage must comply with Microsoft Product Terms that can be found here: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms.

Bare-metal servers: all legitimate Microsoft licenses are eligible, subject to Microsoft Product Terms.

Virtual machines: Microsoft licenses must comply with the terms of Flexible Virtualization Benefit as described here: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/ForallSoftware/all.

The following information is provided for quick reference:

  1. You may only use active subscription licenses and/or licenses with active Software Assurance;
  2. Windows Server OS also requires Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs), subject to the same eligibility requirements. Note that Windows Server CALs may be included in CAL bundles and various Microsoft 365 packages. For the complete and up-to-date “CAL equivalency” list, please refer to the following URL: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/CALandMLEquivalencyLicenses/all;
  3. To use Remote Desktop Services, Terminal Services, Citrix, or any similar technology providing access to remote desktops running on Windows Server, you must obtain Windows Server Remote Desktop Services CALs subject to the same eligibility requirements.
Please note: Microsoft can change terms at any time. Please always consult the links above for the most current terms.

What is Flexible Virtualization Benefit and Bring-You-Own-License, and how does it work on myDelska Cloud Platform? #

Flexible Virtualization Benefit is a right to bring your own licenses to myDelska Cloud Platform.

Terms and Conditions: Microsoft licenses must comply with the terms of Flexible Virtualization Benefit as described here: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/ForallSoftware/all.

The following information is provided for quick reference:

  1. You may only use active subscription licenses and/or licenses with active Software Assurance;
  2. Windows Server OS also requires Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs) that are subject to the same eligibility requirements. Note that Windows Server CALs may be included in CAL bundles and various Microsoft 365 packages. For the complete and up-to-date “CAL equivalency” list, please refer to the following URL: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/CALandMLEquivalencyLicenses/all;
  3. To use Remote Desktop Services, Terminal Services, Citrix, or any similar technology providing access to remote desktops running on Windows Server, you must obtain Windows Server Remote Desktop Services CALs subject to the same eligibility requirements.
Please note: Microsoft can change terms at any time. Please always consult the links above for the most current terms.

How it works:

  1. myDelska platform allows you to order and deploy operating system images. These images contain no additional Microsoft software and aren’t activated. You must obtain and activate an eligible operating system licence (per the terms above) and activate the OS;
  2. Before deploying additional Microsoft software, you must obtain eligible software licenses (per the above terms).

How can I acquire the necessary Microsoft licenses? #

Legitimate Microsoft licenses may be acquired in three ways:

  1. Directly from Microsoft via Microsoft.com and other official Microsoft marketplaces.
  2. From a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP): https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/partnership/find-a-partner
  3. Large organisations – from a License Solution Provider (LSP).

When you purchase licenses to use on myDelska Cloud platform, please ensure they are eligible for Bring Your Own License (see “What Microsoft licenses may I use on myDelska platform?”).

What are the customer obligations when using BYOL under the Microsoft Flexible Benefit program, and what is the cloud provider’s role? #

See Terms of Service

How do I license Windows Server per virtual machine? #

  1. Windows Server requires (a) core licences and (b) client access licenses (CALs).

  2. Core licences:

2.1. All licenses, including CALs, must be eligible for the Flexible Virtualisation Benefit. In short, they must be on an active subscription or have active Software Assurance coverage.

2.2. Count the virtual cores in the virtual machine to calculate the required number of core licences. Also remember that a minimum requirement is 8 core licenses per virtual machine. For example, a virtual machine with 4 virtual cores still requires 8 core licenses. Please note that licences are always sold in so-called “packs”, which may contain 2, 8, or 16 core licences. Always pay attention to the size of the pack.

2.3. Acquire the necessary licences (see “What Microsoft licenses may I use on myDelska platform?” FAQ).

  1. Licensing users with CALs:

3.1. Windows Server CALs are required for each user or device connecting to the server. Internal and external users are licensed differently:

3.1.1. Internal users: Count users or devices in your organisation using your virtual machines and ensure you have the necessary quantity of eligible licenses. You only need one Windows Server CAL per user or device, regardless of the number of virtual machines. Note that Windows Server CALs may be included in CAL bundles and various Microsoft 365 packages. For the complete and up-to-date “CAL equivalency” list, please refer to the following URL: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/product/CALandMLEquivalencyLicenses/all;

3.1.2. External users (e.g. from the Internet): Acquire Windows Server External Connector licenses, one per virtual machine.

3.2. If you provide access to the Graphical User Interface (Remote Desktop), your users also require Remote Desktop User CALs (and External Connectors). Note that RDS CALs are never bundled with other Microsoft products or packages and are always acquired separately.

How do I license SQL Server on myDelska Cloud Platform? #

  1. myDelska Cloud Platform does not provide SQL Server images and licenses.

  2. We recommend licensing SQL Server per core.

2.1. Count the virtual cores in the virtual machine to calculate the required number of core licences.

2.2. Also remember that a minimum requirement is 4 core licenses per virtual machine. For example, a virtual machine with 2 virtual cores still requires 4 SQL Server core licenses.

2.3. Please note that SQL Server core licences are always sold in so-called “packs” containing 2 core licences.

  1. Acquire the necessary licences (see “What Microsoft licenses may I use on myDelska platform?” FAQ).

How do I license Office applications on myDelska Cloud Platform? #

  1. myDelska Cloud Platform does not provide Microsoft Office images and licenses;
  2. Modern Microsoft Office applications included in Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Apps for business and Microsoft Apps for enterprise are licensed per user. You must acquire a user subscription license for every user you authorise to use the applications;
  3. Legacy Microsoft Office packages such as Microsoft Office Standard and Microsoft Office Professional Plus are licensed per connecting device. You must acquire a device license for every client device you authorise to use legacy Microsoft Office packages on the myDelska platform.

How do I license Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or Terminal Services? #

If you provide access to the Graphical User Interface (Remote Desktop), authorised users require Remote Desktop CALs (and External Connectors).

  1. Internal users: Count authorised users and ensure you have the necessary quantity of RDS User CAL licenses. You only need one RDS CAL per user, regardless of the number of virtual machines;
  2. External users (e.g. from the Internet): Acquire Windows Server Remote Desktop External Connector licenses, one per virtual machine. Alternatively, you may license them with RDS User CALs if the quantity of external users is known.

How do I check the eligibility of my existing Microsoft licenses for BYOL? #

  1. Ensure that you acquired licenses from an authorised source, such as directly from Microsoft, from a CSP partner, or an LSP partner;
  2. For subscription licenses, ensure the subscription hasn’t expired;
  3. Perpetual licenses must be covered with active Software Assurance (SA). Ensure the SA coverage hasn’t expired.

Are there any geographical restrictions for using Microsoft licenses under BYOL? #

  1. Microsoft volume licences may be used worldwide, regardless of the “Country of use” declared during purchasin;
  2. However, there may be additional restrictions imposed by international and state-level trade laws or sanctions. Please consult with your legal advisor.

What support is available for licensing questions or issues? #

Licensing support is provided by the party that supplied the licenses. Please get in touch with your CSP or LSP partner for support.

Microsoft Product Terms – public resource located at https://microsoft.com/licensing/terms.