Licensing considerations - VM Import/Export
Licensing considerations for Linux/UnixLicensing considerations for Windows
Services or capabilities described in Amazon Web Services documentation might vary by Region. To see the differences applicable to the China Regions, see Getting Started with Amazon Web Services in China (PDF).

Licensing considerations

We recommend that you review the following licensing considerations appropriate for the operating system that you wish to import.

Licensing considerations for Linux/Unix

Linux operating systems support only the BYOL license type for a VM import task.

Migrated Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) VMs must use Cloud Access (BYOS) licenses. For more information, see Red Hat Cloud Access on the Red Hat website.

Migrated SUSE Linux Enterprise Server VMs must use SUSE Public Cloud Program (BYOS) licenses. For more information, see SUSE Public Cloud Program—Bring Your Own Subscription.

Licensing considerations for Windows

Windows Server operating systems support either the BYOL or AWS license type. Windows client operating systems (such as Windows 10) support only BYOL licenses.

By default, an Amazon license is used when you create a VM import task if the VM has a Windows Server OS. Otherwise, a BYOL license is used.

The following rules apply when you use your BYOL Microsoft license, either through MSDN or Windows Software Assurance Per User:

  • Your BYOL instances are priced at the prevailing Amazon EC2 Linux instance pricing, provided that you meet the following conditions:

    • Run on a Dedicated Host (Dedicated Hosts).

    • Launch from VMs sourced from software binaries provided by you using Amazon VM Import/Export, which are subject to the current terms and abilities of Amazon VM Import/Export.

    • Designate the instances as BYOL instances.

    • Run the instances within your designated Amazon Web Services Regions, and where Amazon offers the BYOL model.

    • Activate using Microsoft keys that you provide or which are used in your key management system.

  • You must account for the fact that when you start an Amazon EC2 instance, it can run on any one of many servers within an Availability Zone. This means that each time you start an Amazon EC2 instance (including a stop/start), it may run on a different server within an Availability Zone. You must account for this fact in light of the limitations on license reassignment as described in Microsoft's document Volume Licensing Product Terms, or consult your specific use rights to determine if your rights are consistent with this usage.

  • You must be eligible to use the BYOL program for the applicable Microsoft software under your agreements with Microsoft, for example, under your MSDN user rights or under your Windows Software Assurance Per User Rights. You are solely responsible for obtaining all required licenses and for complying with all applicable Microsoft licensing requirements, including the PUR/PT. Further, you must have accepted Microsoft's End User License Agreement (Microsoft EULA), and by using the Microsoft Software under the BYOL program, you agree to the Microsoft EULA.

  • Amazon recommends that you consult with your own legal and other advisers to understand and comply with the applicable Microsoft licensing requirements. Usage of the Services (including usage of the licenseType parameter and BYOL flag) in violation of your agreements with Microsoft is not authorized or permitted.

    For more information, see Generating Windows Server and SQL Server on Amazon EC2 estimates in the Amazon Pricing Calculator User Guide.