How to Buy Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite

Licensing

Find answers to all of your questions about licensing Windows HPC Server.

Designed to help explain how to license the current Windows HPC Server R2 Suite product family in Volume Licensing, this guide provides a basic understanding of the models and rules for Windows HPC Server licensing so you can determine the correct license requirements for a variety of scenarios.

Product Descriptions

Microsoft provides a complete, integrated platform for cluster-based, high performance computing. Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite includes both a streamlined version of Windows Server, Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition, optimized for running high performance computing clusters, 2 editions of the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2, which includes a complete, integrated set of middleware and tools for running high performance computing clusters and an optional Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 for Workstation which provides the ability to expand your HPC cluster with free CPU cycles from Windows 7-based workstations.

The following list describes the Microsoft product offerings for High Performance Computing

• Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite: is the combination of Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise providing a robust 64-bit operating system for HPC and the necessary HPC middleware to deploy, manage and develop HPC-enabled applications. Both components are available separately or combined as Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite.

• Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition: is a 64-bit Windows Server operating system including the necessary features and roles for the purpose of running clustered HPC applications.

• Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise: includes a superset of the functionality included in the HPC Pack 2008 R2 Express along with the capability to add Windows 7 based workstation nodes and the ability to run Excel 2010 calculations across the cluster using a new HPC Services

• Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Express: includes the essential software for Windows-based HPC clusters including job scheduling, message passing interface (MPI) and other development application programming interface, system administration, deployment, and support for high speed networking.

• Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 for Workstation: includes software for deploying Windows 7-based workstations as workstation nodes within a Windows HPC Server-based cluster.

HPC Service Licensing Options

Microsoft offers flexible, cost-effective options for the HPC family of products. Prior to running an instance of the software (loading it into memory and executing one or more of its instructions) customers must assign a license to a physical server or workstation. The following is a description of the different options available.

• Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suites consists of Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition and Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise. The Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite* licensing model consists of a Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition operating system license and a Windows HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise license for each server in the cluster such as for: head nodes, broker nodes or compute nodes.

• Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition is licensed using a Server model. In comparison, Windows Server Standard and Enterprise editions are licensed using the Server + CAL model, while Windows Server Datacenter and Windows Server for Itanium-based Systems editions are licensed using the Processor + CAL model.

In the case of virtualization, Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition follows a model similar to Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and allows for running one instance of the server software in a physical operating system environment plus one instance in a virtual operating system environment on a licensed server. If both instances are running at the same time, the instance in the physical operating system environment is limited. It can only be used to (1) run hardware virtualization software, (2) provide hardware virtualization services, or (3) run software to manage and service operating system environments on the licensed server. A customer licensed with Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition now may run one instance of the server software in the physical operating system environment and one instance of the server software in a virtual operating system environment.

• Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise* is licensed using a server model.

• Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 for Workstation* is licensed using a server model. You may run, at any one time, one instance of that software on a device if the device is a workstation node. You may use the server software only on a workstation node.

• Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Express* is available for download at no additional cost and can be used with any licensed copy of Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition, Standard, Enterprise, or Datacenter.

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite, Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC edition, HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise and HPC Pack 2008 R2 for Workstation are available through OEMs and the volume licensing channel, which includes academic and government programs and is also available through SPLA (Service Provider License Agreement).

To download Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite 180 day trial version, please visit the TechNet Evaluation center. »

To download Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Express please visit the TechNet Evaluation center. »

*When running the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise, or Express, with a non-HPC Edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 (examples: Standard, Enterprise, or Datacenter) you must conform to the licensing of the underlying operating system.

**This product is only available through volume licensing programs and OEMs and SPLA (Service Provider License Agreement). It is not available via the retail channel. Contact your Windows Server System product reseller or OEM for more information on how to acquire the software.

HPC Estimated Pricing

Here you will find the recommended retail pricing for the Microsoft HPC offerings from the Open License program.

Product	Open License Recommended Retail Pricing***
Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite	$925
Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition	$475
Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise	$450
Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 for Workstation	$100

*** Prices on this page are stated in U.S. dollars and reflect pricing for purchases within the United States. The prices listed are estimated prices; reseller pricing may vary. To find the Microsoft Web site for your country/region, visit the worldwide sites page.

Microsoft Software Assurance Program

Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) enables Volume License customers to get the most out of their software investment by combining the latest software with phone support; partner services, training, and IT tools that help customers deploy, manage, and migrate software. HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite is available through the SA program.

If you are new to Volume Licensing, we recommend that you purchase License with Software Assurance for your servers in order to gain access to the latest HPC Server release, and to take advantage of the many additional benefits available through the Microsoft Software Assurance program.

For more information on Volume Licensing programs and purchase options, please Visit the Microsoft Licensing site or call (800) 426-9400 to speak with a Microsoft representative.