Software Site Licensing
VMWare Licensing
What is Virtualization?
Virtualization allows a single piece of computer hardware, specifically a server, to be partitioned into multiple "virtual" servers such that each has the appearance and capabilities of running as though it were a dedicated machine. Each virtual server can run its own operating system (Windows or Linux), is assigned its own hostname and may be independently administered, configured, and rebooted without impact on other VM servers.
University Enterprise Virtual Server Software License
In recognition of the value of this technology and its potential to save on multiple dimensions such as power, space and cost, NSIT has negotiated an Enterprise License Agreement with VMWare and Dell to allow persons at the University of Chicago to license the VMWare virtualization software components at a greatly reduced cost. From now until June 30, 2011, you can license VMWare through the centrally negotiated Enterprise License Agreement.
The VMWare components covered under this Enterprise License Agreement include the Virtual Center and/or the number of ESX Suites you desire. Together the Virtual Center and the ESX Suite(s) allow you to manage as many virtual servers as you need. This diagram depicts the relationships of the Virtual Center, the ESX Suite(s) and the Virtual Server(s), which are designated "VM."
Costs and Eligibility
The table below compares the normal academic pricing of VMWare at this time with the discounted pricing available under the Enterprise License Agreement and illustrates the potential savings:
| Normal academic price | Enterprise License price | |
| Virtual Center and maintenance |
$8,505 (As of 9/2008: $2,997 for the license, plus $5,508 for five years of maintenance) |
$1,000 for license and maintenance. Maintenance ends June 30, 2013 regardless of when the license is purchased. |
| ESX Suite and maintenance |
$9,792 (As of 9/2008: $3,450 for the license, plus $6,342 for five years of maintenance) |
$1,500 for license and maintenance. Maintenance ends June 30, 2013 regardless of when the license is purchased. |
Under the current contract, NSIT can offer an unlimited number of VMWare Virtual Center and ESX Suite licenses from now until June 30, 2011, with maintenance extended to June 30, 2013, but all sales stop in June of 2011. All charges are one-time, with no pro-rating or monthly billing of any kind. This agreement applies to the whole University. BSD scholarly and research applications may use the software, but clinical data and patient care data and applications cannot be hosted on virtual servers obtained through this licensing agreement. The license server will be managed to the specifications of NSIT production services and thus can be expected to be robust and highly available.
Please note that the VMWare license simply entitles you to the software. You must install, configure, and monitor the software to take advantage of it. The agreement does not include support of any kind from NSIT. If, instead of purchasing a license and running a virtual server yourself, you would like to take advantage of NSIT's server hosting service (either physical or virtual), please see our Hosting Service.
Details of Software, Maintenance, Updates and Support Services
(a) Software; Term. Provided VMware has received payment in full from Distributor for the ELA, Partner may resell the Software to the End User for deployment of the Software, as set forth in the table below, for the period of time commencing on the Effective Date and ending on June 30, 2011 (the "ELA period"). Upon expiration of the ELA Period, End User shall continue to have a perpetual license to use the Software deployed by End User as of such date, subject to the terms of the Agreement.
End User on behalf of itself and for the benefit of the following business entity (The University of Chicago, Division of Networking Services and Information Technologies - NSIT (the "Business Entity")), shall have an unlimited license to use the following Software, as it exists as of the Effective Date, including all corresponding Updates and Upgrades provided in connection with support and subscription services which have been purchased by End User ("Services"):
- VirtualCenter Server (including VMware Converter, Enterprise)
- Virtual Suite:
- VMware Infrastructure, Enterprise Edition:
- VMware ESX, including VMware VMFS (Virtual Machine File Systems)
- Virtual SMP
- VirtualCenter Agent
- VMotion, including Storage VMotion
- VMware DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler), including DPM (Distributed Power Management) VMware HA (High Availability) VMware Consolidated Backup Update Manager
Request Form
To request to be added to the licensing agreement, fill out this form.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any questions, please send an email to licensing@uchicago.edu.
For a printable sheet about VMWare, open our VMWare Service Overview (PDF).
Last updated: 6/17/09