BlkKnight

I'm thinking of subscribing to MSDN to gain Office, Servers & Client applications (10 client machines + 2 servers).

I know the license is on a per user basis.

Do the MSDN license keys prevent you installing (and validating) on multiple machines?

Semper

None have prevented that on any I have used so far.

BlkKnight

how many installs have you tested?

darlodge

I've never known MSDN to "check" how many licences you are using.
The caveat I always remember being drilled into me by my previous Technical Director is that it was not a substitute for licencing and the products you get from MSDN were only meant to be for testing and development. Not production.

Darren

Iain Young

Also note that for things like operating systems, you have to use a key and activate them just like a retail copy. You generally get around 5 keys per OS I think...

BlkKnight

Thanks Guys,

Wasn't planing to work on too many machines at once. Useful to know.

HHxx

I think I have clicked the 'get keys' button around 3 times max for a OS. No problems there.. Never tried the same key on multiple machines and activated.

If you are testing, you don't have to activate as long as you are not too long. Can't remember how many days that is though..

If this is for your business/production, have you considered the Action Pack?

Sonic'

You can get licenses for production too not just for testing, there are some caveats depending on your type of business

druddle

I have been testing Win7 and app/hardware compatibility. I have so far installed and activated 4 laptops with the same MSDN license key.......

Iain Young

Our test department has been using msdn licenses with various virtual machines, and have hit limits (where the keys will not activate on any more machines). Not sure off the top of my head what the limit is for a single key, but I know there is one

john_s

iTrader: (1)

I'm not a subscriber, so I might be wrong...

I'm sure I remember reading that there is a limit to how many times something will validate (10 spring to mind), but if you need more, you ring MS, explain, and they authorise you some more validations.

BlkKnight

Thanks for the MS Action pack recommendation.

Seems like that fits the bill perfectly.

Luckily we have two registered companies so we can get double the licenses. For £600 p/y it's a no brainer.

BlkKnight

Sorry for the self bump.

The Action Pack is only meant for software developers / resellers isn't it?

I wonder how many SMB's are using the action pack licenses inhouse when they should not?

ChrisB

MS make a person pass an on-line training session/"exam" each year to stay part of Action Pack. Don't remember the one I did being that hard, would have to look on the MS portal to see which one I did.