Knowledge Base
FAQ: VMware ACE 2.0.x Licensing
Details
Solution
- Workstation 6 with ACE Option Pack (replaces ACE 1 "ACE Manager"): With the ACE Option Pack, Workstation 6 also becomes an ACE authoring tool and an administration tool for ACE clients. The ACE Option Pack delivers the ability to create and package ACE virtual machines, as well as interact with the ACE Management Server. The ACE Option Pack is license-enabled functionality; it requires no additional software installation for Workstation 6 users.
- ACE 2 Management Server (new to ACE 2): The ACE 2 Management Server enables an administrator to activate, track, manage, update, and deactivate any ACE virtual machine.
- ACE virtual machines (available in both ACE 1 and ACE 2): Using Workstation 6 with the ACE Option Pack, an administrator can generate an ACE package. This consists of a virtual machine, policy file, configuration file, and a virtual runtime engine. When installed on a PC, laptop, or portable media device, this ACE package is called an ACE virtual machine.
- Workstation 6 with ACE Option Pack: Workstation 6 is licensed per device for a single, named user. The ACE Option Pack can be installed or used only on a device licensed for Workstation 6. The ACE Option Pack is a separate, add-on license. Licensed users of Workstation 6 enter an ACE Option Pack key to unlock the ability to create and manage ACE virtual machines. The end-user license agreement for the ACE Option Pack can be found in section 9.1C, at http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/workstation6.html. Workstation 6 with the ACE Option Pack is sold both as part of ACE 2 kits, as well as à la carte. More information about how to purchase the ACE Option Pack and Workstation 6 can be found at http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/aop.html. To learn more about the different ACE 2 kits, see http://www.vmware.com/products/ace/buy.html#c6146.
- ACE 2 Management Server: The ACE 2 Management Server is licensed per server. The end-user license agreement for the ACE Management Server can be found at http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/ace2.html. ACE 2 Management Server is sold both as part of ACE 2 kits, as well as à la carte.
- ACE virtual machines: The installation and use of an ACE virtual machine requires an ACE client license, which is a per-device license. The end-user license agreement for an ACE client license can be found in section 9.1D at http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/workstation6.html. Licenses for ACE virtual machines are sold both as part of ACE 2 kits, as well as à la carte.
- VMware Workstation 6 Upgrade (for Windows Operating Systems)
- This license activates only Workstation, not ACE.
- VMware Workstation 6 ACE Option Pack (for Windows operating systems)
- This license activates Workstation and ACE on a single host.
- Note: You can re-enter the VMware Workstation 6 Upgrade license to disable ACE, if you choose.
- VMware ACE 2 Client License
- This serial number is required to run an ACE instance on another host or device.
- ACE packages created with VMware Workstation 6 ACE Option Pack do not include an ACE client license for deployment to another host PC. If you want to deploy ACE instances to seperate host systems, you must be prepared to enter the ACE client license serial number upon installation and activation of deployed ACE instances.
- VMware ACE 2 Volume Licensing Key
- This key licenses ACE for multiple client distributions. If you purchase ACE 2 Enterprise Edition in a bundle that includes volume licensing, you will recieve this key and the ACE Option Pack key.
- VMware ACE Management Server License
- This serial number enables ACE Management Server.
A. VMware ACE 2 Enterprise Edition has several different software components. Each has its own mechanism for serial number entry, as follows:
- Worsktation 6 ACE Option Pack - Start the Workstation 6.0 application. Choose Help > Enter Serial Number and enter the serial number, your name, and your company name.
- ACE Client - From the VMware Player menu, choose Enter ACE Client License. The Enter Serial Number dialog prompts for a serial number, name, and company name.
Note: If you have a Volume License for Workstation 6 ACE Option Pack, you will not see this prompt because the Volume License embeds client licenses in the package. You do not need to enter separate licenses for any ACE client, in this case.
- ACE Management Server - Enter serial number, user name, and company name on the Licensing tab of the configuration web application.
A. An ACE Volume Licensing Key is a convenience tool for deploying ACE Client Licenses. The Volume Licensing Key is only available as part of the Standard and Enterprise bundles of ACE 2 with initial allotments of 50 (Standard) or 200 (Enterprise) ACE Client Licenses. ACE Administrators can buy additive licenses for the ACE Volume License Key for either bundle to arrive at the target number of licenses required. The ACE Volume Licensing Key is intended to reduce licensing deployment and serial key entry issues in larger deployments of 50 or more ACE installations.
The ACE Volume Licensing Key enables an ACE Administrator to deploy an ACE Client License to any device without prompting the end-user for any additional client license registration. This requires the ACE administrator to manage ACE Client License distribution and track deployed licenses. Tracking and counting of licenses can be facilitated through the ACE Management Server or an alternative license tracking mechanism.
We are pleased to provide you with a evaluation serial number.
Your evaluation serial numbers are:
VMware Workstation 6 ACE Option Pack Promotion (for Windows operating systems):
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
VMware ACE 2 Volume Licensing Key:
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
VMware ACE 2 Management Server:
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Q. Can I reassign an ACE Client License to another user?
A. To assign a license means to designate that license to one device. The purpose of this assignment is to avoid sharing a license across multiple devices at the same time. Reassignment is permitted, but on a permanent basis only. Short term or regular, repeated license reassignments between two or more devices is not permitted.
Q. What is the relationship between “Workstation 6 with the ACE Option Pack” and “Workstation ACE Edition”?
A. The ACE Option Pack is license-enabled functionality available in every copy of Workstation 6. No additional downloads or installations are necessary. When a user enters an ACE Option Pack license key into their copy of Workstation 6, additional ACE functionality is exposed. Workstation 6 is automatically converted into Workstation ACE Edition, which has all the functionality of Workstation 6 with the added ability to create, package, and manage ACE virtual machines.
Q. Why has "ACE Manager" (ACE version 1) been replaced by Workstation 6 with the ACE Option Pack?
A. Workstation 6.0 ACE Edition is built upon the same platform, and delivered within the same binary as Workstation 6.0. The additional functionality is made available through licensing. As the products have come together more fully, the naming has been updated to more accurately reflect that fact.
Q. Do I need the ACE 2 Management Server?
A. The ACE 2 Management Server is not required for you to be able to create and deploy ACE virtual machines to client machines, but it provides management capabilities to enable you to track, actively manage the policies for, and activate or deactivate your ACE clients at any time. It contains its own Embedded SQL database but can also be integrated into an existing Postgres, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle Database.
Q. Where can I acquire the ACE Option Pack and how do I install it?
A. The ACE Option Pack is an upgrade for Workstation 6 and does not require you to install any additional software. The additional functionality is made available through licensing. However, you must have Workstation 6 installed in order to use Pocket ACE and the other features offered in the ACE Option Pack.
Q. When do I need to acquire an ACE client license?
A. Every device on which an ACE virtual machine is installed and active must have an ACE client license. A device in this context is any physical hardware system capable of having software installed onto it. Examples include a PC, laptop, server, or portable media devices such as USB or Firewire external hard drives, USB flash drives, or iPods.
Q. Where can I acquire an ACE client license?
A. Any ACE 2 kit or à la carte option – including ACE client licenses – can be bought at http://www.vmware.com/products/ace/buy.html.
Q. How do I upgrade the capacity for a Volume Licensing Key?
A. If you already have a Volume Licensing Key, you can purchase additional, à la carte licenses for it. You will need to use your existing Volume Licensing Key serial number as proof of purchase when you buy the additional licenses.
Q. Where can I find more information about ACE?
A. See the VMware ACE product landing page at http://www.vmware.com/products/ace/. ACE user guide documentation is at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/ace_pubs.html.
