Software Licensing

One of the most unique aspects of labs is the application of real software within the environment. However, many pieces of real software carry with them requirements of licensing to confirm that it is legally obtained. With this often comes not only a technical consideration, but tangible costs as well. This article provides guidance for activating software within Skillable labs to enhance your learning and teaching experience while remaining compliant.

Table of Contents:

1. Responsibility for Software Activation

2. Minimizing Licensing Requirements

3. Known Licensing Solutions

   1. Windows Client (10/11)

   2. Windows Server

   3. Microsoft SQL Server

   4. Tableau Desktop

Responsibility for Software Activation

While Skillable Studio facilitates the installation of various software within VMs or the ability to use any cloud platform within labs, in most cases Skillable does not provide licensing or ensure compliance with a software’s licensing requirements.

It is the responsibility of lab builders and their organizations to ensure the software being utilized in labs is compliant with any requirements for licensing.

Skillable Provided Licensing

While in the majority of circumstances software licensing is fully the responsibility of the lab builder, Skillable currently has options where licensing can be handled on your behalf for:

• Windows Client (10/11)

• Windows Server (2012 R2 & up)

• Microsoft Office & Microsoft 365

Microsoft Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA)

To activate certain Microsoft software, Skillable utilizes Microsoft’s SPLA Program. While Skillable has very defined ways to utilize this for certain programs (see Skillable Provided Licensing), there is other software supported by the SPLA program but NOT supported by our current implementation of the program. If you have a viable need, implementation may be possible under SPLA for the following Microsoft products listed below:

• SharePoint Server

• SQL Server Standard

• SQL Server Standard and Enterprise Core edition

• System Center Standard Core

• Visual Studio Team Foundation Server

• Visual Studio Enterprise Professional and Test Professional

• BizTalk Server Branch, Standard and Enterprise

• Dynamics 365 for Customer Services, Sales and Team Members

• Exchange Server

Requesting Access to SPLA Licensing

If you would like to discuss receiving licensing for one of these products or any other Skillable Provided Licensing, please reach out to your primary Skillable Contact.

Minimizing Licensing Requirements

With software licensing Skillable’s primary recommendation is to, when possible, explore ways that eliminate the need for traditional activation entirely. Primarily this is done through finding an alternative software entirely, using free trials, or finding an alternative license type.

Utilize free or open source alternatives

When possible, look for an alternative software that accomplishes the same goal but is free and/or open source. Sometimes the same software vendor even has a free alternative. The below table outlines a few examples of alternatives.

• Pros: Removes the need for licensing entirely.

• Cons: May not do exactly what you need or how you need it to.

Utilize Trial, Dev/Test, or Education Licenses

If alternative, license-free, software is still not an option - there may still be paths forward. A lot of software offers indefinite trial versions, free trial periods, developer licenses, or education licenses. Look into and take advantage of these offers to either avoid or fulfill activation requirements for no or low cost.

• Pros: Exact software you need.

• Cons: Features may be locked behind full license or may be time bound.

• Example: If your scenario requires Microsoft SQL Server, consider using the free Developer Edition.

Known Licensing Solutions

Skillable currently has known solutions documented for the following software.

Windows Client (10/11)

For Windows Client, Skillable can optionally provide licensing. If you would like to provide your own, Skillable recommends establishing a Volume Licensing agreement with Microsoft and performing the manual activation method outlined below.

Whether using Skillable provided or your own Volume Licensing, ensure that you are using Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 11 Enterprise.

Manual Activation

If you are using your own volume licensing agreement with Microsoft, each lab will need to have your key applied. See Microsoft’s documentation for how to change the Volume Licensing product key.

This option requires a licensing agreement with Microsoft.

Automatic Activation

For Windows Client VMs running on Hyper-V or ESX, Skillable offers an automatic Windows Client Licensing option.

This option does not require any licensing agreement or costs with Microsoft but does require a contract and additional costs with Skillable - please reach out to your Account Manager if you are interested in this service.

Windows Server

Windows Server, like Windows Client, is required by Microsoft to be activated on all installs. However, Windows Server additionally can be activated automatically within Azure VMs as oultlined below.

Manual Activation

If you are using your own volume licensing agreement with Microsoft, each lab will need to have your key applied. See Microsoft’s documentation for how to change the Volume Licensing product key.

This option requires a licensing agreement with Microsoft.

Automatic Activation

Hyper-V/ESX Hosted: For Windows Server VMs running on Hyper-V or ESX, Skillable offers an automatic Windows Server Licensing option.

This option does not require any licensing agreement or costs with Microsoft but does require a contract and additional costs with Skillable - please reach out to your Account Manager if you are interested in this service.

Azure Hosted: Windows Server VMs deployed into Microsoft Azure are automatically activated on your behalf by Azure.

This option does not require any licensing agreement with Microsoft, but these VMs do qualify for Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server if you already have one.

Microsoft SQL Server

For labs utilizing Microsoft SQL Server, consider using the free Developer Edition or utilizing Azure Cloud Slice and an instance of Azure SQL Database.

Tableau Desktop

For organizations trying to teach the Tableau Desktop or Prep Builder, Tableau supports a Lab License under their Tableau for Teaching program.