Although this news has been released for over a month now, I believe it was not pushed hard enough. Now its the time for it to make it to my blog. After reading this post, cheaper can no more be an execuse to not choose VMware the leading Virtualization product for your datacenter. Its no more the argument of just VMware being more cost effective, but a very price competetive at the initial cost. VMware has just moved VMotion to its Standard edition. That means the competitors will be offering their customers at best the equivelant of VMware Standard edition. Further, with the low pricing of VMware standard edition its no longer more expensive than the competition.
I believe with this new move VMware has just decided to start crushing the competition. If you have been reading my blog enough, you would have noticed my post less than a year back IF I was VMware CEO. In that post, I have mentioned that If I were VMware CEO I would included VMotion in the standard edition to crush the competition. At that time, many people has looked at it as a crazy request. Less than a year later, the move has came to match my request.
To make it more fun, it seems VMware has not just matched my prediction to include vMotion in the standard edition. They have went beyond that and started offering vMotion in Essential Plus Kit!!! Further, VMware has started many more kits that are dirt cheap for the amount of features they offer. If price was one big decision factor for you, then its the time to talk to VMware to find the kit for you. Below I have just shown a table of the editions meant for the enterprise that demonstrate the inclusion of vMotion in the standard edition. This same table can be found on VMware at: http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/buy/editions_comparison.html
| Standard | Advanced | Enterprise | Enterprise Plus | |
| Overview | Server consolidation with high availability and no planned downtime | Security and continuous availability with zero data loss even with server failures | Automated resource and power management for the foundation of a private cloud | Policy-based compute, network, and storage resource management to prioritize mission critical applications |
| Product Components | ||||
| Processor EntitlementLicense is required per physical processor. | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU |
| Memory/Physical ServerLicense limits only. Support for higher memory requirements available with additional licensing. | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | No Memory Limit |
| Cores per ProcessorLicense limits only. Support for higher cores per processor requirements available with additional licensing. | 6 | 12 | 6 | 12 |
| Centralized Management Compatibility | ||||
vCenter Compatibility (Sold Separately) vCenter Server – Provides management for vSphere deployments and is available in two editions:
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| Product Features | ||||
| Thin ProvisioningReduce storage needs by utilizing dynamic storage that expands to meet the requirements of the virtual machine with no performance degradation. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Update ManagerReduce time spent on routine remediation by automating the tracking, patching and updating of your vSphere hosts, as well as the VM’s applications and operating systems. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data RecoveryProtect your data through fast agent-less backups to disk, with de-duplication to minimize use of backup disk space. | Sold Separately for this Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High AvailabilityMinimize downtime with automated restart of your VMs following physical machine failure. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vMotionEliminate application downtime from planned server maintenance by migrating running VMs between hosts. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vStorage APIs for Data ProtectionAchieve scalable backup without disrupting applications or users by leveraging supported 3rd party backup software that leverage these APIs. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Serial Port ConcentratorConnect over the network via the serial port concentrator to the serial port console on any server. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Hot AddIncrease capacity by adding CPU and memory to virtual machines when needed without disruption or downtime. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| vShield ZonesSimplify security management by configuring and maintaining your multiple zones of security within software among shared hosts rather than across separate siloed physical environments. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Fault ToleranceProvide continuous availability for applications with zero data loss in the event of server failures. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| vStorage APIs for Array IntegrationImprove performance and scalability by leveraging efficient array-based operations. | Yes | Yes | ||
| vStorage APIs for MultipathingImprove performance and reliability of IO from vSphere to storage by leveraging third party storage vendor multi-path software capabilities. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Storage vMotionAvoid application downtime for planned storage maintenance by migrating live VM disk files across storage arrays. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Distributed Resources Scheduler (DRS), Distributed Power Management (DPM)Align resources usage with business priority by automatically load balancing across hosts and optimize power consumption by turning off hosts during lower load periods. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Storage I/O ControlPrioritizes storage access by continuously monitoring I/O load of a storage volume and dynamically allocating available I/O resources to virtual machines according to business needs. | Yes | |||
| Network I/O ControlPrioritizes network access by continuously monitoring I/O load over the network and dynamically allocating available I/O resources to specific flows according to business needs. | Yes | |||
| Distributed SwitchCentralize provisioning, administration, and monitoring using cluster-level network aggregation. | Yes | |||
| Host ProfilesSimplify host deployment and compliance by creating VMs from configuration templates. | Yes |
| Standard | Advanced | Enterprise | Enterprise Plus | |
| Overview | Server consolidation with high availability and no planned downtime | Security and continuous availability with zero data loss even with server failures | Automated resource and power management for the foundation of a private cloud | Policy-based compute, network, and storage resource management to prioritize mission critical applications |
| Product Components | ||||
| Processor EntitlementLicense is required per physical processor. | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU |
| Memory/Physical ServerLicense limits only. Support for higher memory requirements available with additional licensing. | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | No Memory Limit |
| Cores per ProcessorLicense limits only. Support for higher cores per processor requirements available with additional licensing. | 6 | 12 | 6 | 12 |
| Centralized Management Compatibility | ||||
vCenter Compatibility (Sold Separately) vCenter Server – Provides management for vSphere deployments and is available in two editions:
|
|
|
|
|
| Product Features | ||||
| Thin ProvisioningReduce storage needs by utilizing dynamic storage that expands to meet the requirements of the virtual machine with no performance degradation. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Update ManagerReduce time spent on routine remediation by automating the tracking, patching and updating of your vSphere hosts, as well as the VM’s applications and operating systems. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data RecoveryProtect your data through fast agent-less backups to disk, with de-duplication to minimize use of backup disk space. | Sold Separately for this Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High AvailabilityMinimize downtime with automated restart of your VMs following physical machine failure. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vMotionEliminate application downtime from planned server maintenance by migrating running VMs between hosts. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vStorage APIs for Data ProtectionAchieve scalable backup without disrupting applications or users by leveraging supported 3rd party backup software that leverage these APIs. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Serial Port ConcentratorConnect over the network via the serial port concentrator to the serial port console on any server. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Hot AddIncrease capacity by adding CPU and memory to virtual machines when needed without disruption or downtime. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| vShield ZonesSimplify security management by configuring and maintaining your multiple zones of security within software among shared hosts rather than across separate siloed physical environments. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Fault ToleranceProvide continuous availability for applications with zero data loss in the event of server failures. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| vStorage APIs for Array IntegrationImprove performance and scalability by leveraging efficient array-based operations. | Yes | Yes | ||
| vStorage APIs for MultipathingImprove performance and reliability of IO from vSphere to storage by leveraging third party storage vendor multi-path software capabilities. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Storage vMotionAvoid application downtime for planned storage maintenance by migrating live VM disk files across storage arrays. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Distributed Resources Scheduler (DRS), Distributed Power Management (DPM)Align resources usage with business priority by automatically load balancing across hosts and optimize power consumption by turning off hosts during lower load periods. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Storage I/O ControlPrioritizes storage access by continuously monitoring I/O load of a storage volume and dynamically allocating available I/O resources to virtual machines according to business needs. | Yes | |||
| Network I/O ControlPrioritizes network access by continuously monitoring I/O load over the network and dynamically allocating available I/O resources to specific flows according to business needs. | Yes | |||
| Distributed SwitchCentralize provisioning, administration, and monitoring using cluster-level network aggregation. | Yes | |||
| Host ProfilesSimplify host deployment and compliance by creating VMs from configuration templates. | Yes |
If you are a small to mid size organization, then you might want to look at one of the new attractive VMware acceleration kits which can be found at: http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/buy/small_business_editions_comparison.html
I believe this new licensing schema from VMware will put virtualization on fire, what do you think???
| Standard | Advanced | Enterprise | Enterprise Plus | |
| Overview | Server consolidation with high availability and no planned downtime | Security and continuous availability with zero data loss even with server failures | Automated resource and power management for the foundation of a private cloud | Policy-based compute, network, and storage resource management to prioritize mission critical applications |
| Product Components | ||||
| Processor EntitlementLicense is required per physical processor. | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU | Per 1 CPU |
| Memory/Physical ServerLicense limits only. Support for higher memory requirements available with additional licensing. | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | No Memory Limit |
| Cores per ProcessorLicense limits only. Support for higher cores per processor requirements available with additional licensing. | 6 | 12 | 6 | 12 |
| Centralized Management Compatibility | ||||
vCenter Compatibility (Sold Separately) vCenter Server – Provides management for vSphere deployments and is available in two editions:
|
|
|
|
|
| Product Features | ||||
| Thin ProvisioningReduce storage needs by utilizing dynamic storage that expands to meet the requirements of the virtual machine with no performance degradation. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Update ManagerReduce time spent on routine remediation by automating the tracking, patching and updating of your vSphere hosts, as well as the VM’s applications and operating systems. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data RecoveryProtect your data through fast agent-less backups to disk, with de-duplication to minimize use of backup disk space. | Sold Separately for this Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High AvailabilityMinimize downtime with automated restart of your VMs following physical machine failure. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vMotionEliminate application downtime from planned server maintenance by migrating running VMs between hosts. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| vStorage APIs for Data ProtectionAchieve scalable backup without disrupting applications or users by leveraging supported 3rd party backup software that leverage these APIs. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Serial Port ConcentratorConnect over the network via the serial port concentrator to the serial port console on any server. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Hot AddIncrease capacity by adding CPU and memory to virtual machines when needed without disruption or downtime. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| vShield ZonesSimplify security management by configuring and maintaining your multiple zones of security within software among shared hosts rather than across separate siloed physical environments. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Fault ToleranceProvide continuous availability for applications with zero data loss in the event of server failures. | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| vStorage APIs for Array IntegrationImprove performance and scalability by leveraging efficient array-based operations. | Yes | Yes | ||
| vStorage APIs for MultipathingImprove performance and reliability of IO from vSphere to storage by leveraging third party storage vendor multi-path software capabilities. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Storage vMotionAvoid application downtime for planned storage maintenance by migrating live VM disk files across storage arrays. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Distributed Resources Scheduler (DRS), Distributed Power Management (DPM)Align resources usage with business priority by automatically load balancing across hosts and optimize power consumption by turning off hosts during lower load periods. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Storage I/O ControlPrioritizes storage access by continuously monitoring I/O load of a storage volume and dynamically allocating available I/O resources to virtual machines according to business needs. | Yes | |||
| Network I/O ControlPrioritizes network access by continuously monitoring I/O load over the network and dynamically allocating available I/O resources to specific flows according to business needs. | Yes | |||
| Distributed SwitchCentralize provisioning, administration, and monitoring using cluster-level network aggregation. | Yes | |||
| Host ProfilesSimplify host deployment and compliance by creating VMs from configuration templates. | Yes |
If you are a small or mid size business then you have not been forgotten as well. You shall check one of the new VMware acceleration kits created specially with small & mid size businesses in mind. You can find these at: http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/buy/small_business_editions_comparison.html
I would love to hear your opinion about this move, Please spell your mind in the comment area below.
2 responses to “VMware vSphere 4.1 Standard License to Include VMotion”
I was glad to see this. I would hope that it reduced the number of standalone servers I’m seeing being deployed, but that may be wishful thinking.
I am left wondering what the purpose of Advanced is though. How often are people seeing this deployed? I know I would personally rather cut costs elsewhere in order to get DRS and Storage vMotion.
Hi Jeff,
I might have to agree with you that has reduced one reason to opt for advaned as you can now get VMotion in standard edition.
Though many companies will still strive to get FT & Data Recover y which is available in advance & not available in standard edition.
From my view of the market, most companies are adopting for Enterprise & Enterprise+ edition as they desire to have the full features at hand and even then they still end up saving a ton of money when compared to physical. Though having VMotion in standard edition gives VMware a great Edge over MS offering.
Enjoy,
Eiad