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FAQs about Microsoft and IBM Cloud® infrastructure

FAQs about Microsoft and IBM Cloud® infrastructure

IBM is a Gold Certified member of the Microsoft Partner Network® and licensed to sell Microsoft® software under the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA). IBM is also an authorized license mobility Microsoft partner. Use of Microsoft software is solely subject to terms and conditions from Microsoft. When you use Microsoft software in IBM Cloud, you are fully responsible for complying with Microsoft licensing terms.

What is the relationship between Microsoft and IBM Cloud?

IBM Cloud has a strategic relationship with Microsoft to offer their suite of software. IBM Cloud offers native Microsoft software in its offerings. IBM Cloud also supports Bring Your Own Licenses (BYOL) for most Microsoft software.

What types of Microsoft software are supported in IBM Cloud?

You can run most of the Microsoft software on IBM Cloud such as

  • Windows Server
  • SQL Server
  • Exchange
  • SharePoint
  • System Center

You can also use Remote Desktop Services that include some user-specific options such as

  • Microsoft Office
  • Skype
  • Dynamics 365 products

What support can I expect from IBM Cloud for Microsoft products?

For Microsoft software that is purchased natively on IBM Cloud, IBM Cloud support is the first point of contact for any issue with a Microsoft software-related issue.

IBM provides three support plans.

  • Basic
  • Advanced
  • Premium.

For more information, see IBM support plans.

How does IBM Cloud and Microsoft work together to solve issues?

If Microsoft involvement is required to solve a potential issue, IBM Cloud support engages Microsoft support.

For client BYOL Microsoft software issues, you need to contact Microsoft support.

Does IBM Cloud and Microsoft offer an extended support agreement?

IBM Cloud adheres to Microsoft end of service (EOS) dates. IBM Cloud and Microsoft don't offer an extended support agreement. However, IBM support works with Microsoft support when needed.

What is the level of support between IBM Cloud and customers who use Microsoft software?

IBM Cloud provides the cloud infrastructure and Microsoft stock images. IBM Cloud support covers any issue with the cloud infrastructure and the stock images - such as driver mismatch or licensing. Issues that are related to images and licensing are the responsibility of the customer. Custom images (customer-owned images) are also the responsibility of the customer.

Is the Microsoft operating system cost included in the on-demand IBM Cloud virtual servers cost?

For IBM stock images, the operating systems license cost is included as part of the virtual server cost that you see in the catalog. Custom image licenses are billed separately.

Does IBM Cloud support Bring Your Own License (BYOL) for Microsoft software?

Yes. IBM Cloud supports BYOL.

In 2019, Microsoft implemented licensing rules that customers must follow when they use Microsoft licenses on non-Microsoft cloud providers. On 29 August 2022, Microsoft changed their policy. The policy change announcement says that you can now deploy a Microsoft BYOL on shared (multi-tenant) hosts. Previously, this rule was limited to dedicated (single-tenant) hosts Make sure that you read and understand the most recent Microsoft terms and condition.

A Microsoft blog post about BYOL provides more information. Microsoft also provides a training video. When a customer uses BYOL, they can license Windows Server with virtual servers and public multi-tenant virtual servers instead of physical servers.

Am I charged for BYOL?

If you use the BYOL option, you are charged by IBM for only the IBM Cloud infrastructure.

Does a software assurance agreement exist between IBM Cloud and Microsoft?

License mobility through Microsoft Software Assurance gives Microsoft Volume Licensing customers the flexibility to deploy certain server applications with active Software Assurance on-premises or in the cloud, without having to buy extra licenses. As a result, customers can take advantage of the lowest and flexible cost infrastructure for changing business priorities. Because of this new Software Assurance benefit, customers do not need to purchase new Microsoft Client Access Licenses (CALs) and no associated mobility fees exist.

What Microsoft products are eligible for license mobility through Software Assurance?

The following applications are eligible with Software Assurance.

  • Microsoft SQL Server database software
  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • Microsoft SharePoint Server
  • Microsoft Skype for Business Server
  • Microsoft System Center servers
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Server for Customer Service and Sales applications.

What is the EOS policy for Microsoft products in IBM Cloud?

In the lifecycle of an operating system, EOS is the last date that IBM Cloud delivers support for a version of a product. IBM Cloud VPC EOS dates and Classic EOS dates align with Microsoft EOS dates.

Can I provision virtual servers in IBM Cloud by using EOS software?

No. You can't provision a virtual server with software that reached its EOS date. Customers can use the existing EOS software that was provisioned before the EOS date at their own risk.

Where can I find the EOS date for Microsoft Servers that run in IBM Cloud?

For more information about EOS dates for Microsoft software, see VPC Lifecycle for guest operating systems - Windows Server and Classic Lifecycle for operating systems and add-ons.

What if a customer wants to keep operating EOS software?

If the virtual server is provisioned before the EOS date, customer can continue to use EOS software at their own risk while no bug and security fixes are available.