In this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron take a look at everyone's FAVORITE subject: licensing! And they're particularly focusing on Hyper-V and VMware. Andy and Eric's conversation includes the highlights and the differences between Microsoft and VMware licensing philosophies, the implications of WindowsServer Standard versus Data Center licensing, and the challenges sysadmins face during audits. Also discussed are the complexities of licensing for virtual machines. They discuss the implications of VM mobility, and the challenges of high availability beyond traditional clustering. Finally Andy and Eric cover new licensing options, includingpay-as-you-go and virtual instance licensing, and provides insights for organizations considering migration from VMware to Hyper-V. Throughout the discussion, the importance of consulting with licensing experts is emphasized to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

- Licensing is a necessary evil in IT.- Microsoft and VMware have fundamentally different licensing philosophies.- Hyper-V is included with Windows Server licensing.- Understanding VM mobility is crucial for compliance.- Nonprofits can access better software pricing through TechSoup.- Audits can consume significant time and resources. Make sure you're getting the cheapest pricing you're eligible for.- Windows containers do not count towards licensing.- Desktop licensing can be complex and risky.- VM mobility can complicate licensing agreements.- Data center licensing allows for unlimited virtual instances.- Pay as you go licensing is often not cost-effective.- SQL licensing can be affected by VM mobility.- Always consult with licensing experts before making changes.- Migration from VMware to Hyper-V requires careful planning.- The cost of migration can be more significant than licensing fees.

Episode Resources:

- Episode on Azure Local - https://youtu.be/YpEG-u_A9Qs?si=S10VdgHYX3GcNmFn- Project Runspace - https://www.projectrunspace.org- Andy On Tech - https://www.andyontech.com

#HyperV #SysAdmin #ITPro #VMware

In this episode of SysAdmin Weekly, hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron discuss the litany of new features for Hyper-V in Windows Server 2025. They discuss enhancements in networking, including accelerated networking, Network ATC, and the upcoming Network HUD. The conversation emphasizes the importance of these features for sysadmins and how they simplify network management and configuration.

Also In this episode, Andy and Eric discuss the changes in Hyper-V Manager, new security features, and dynamic processor compatibility. Finally the duo highlights the revolutionary GPU partitioning capabilities in Windows Server 2025 Hyper-V, which enables more flexible GPU resource allocation for virtual machines, especially for AI workloads.

Episode Resources:

Project Runspace - https://www.projectrunspace.org

Andy On Tech - https://www.andyontech.com

Link to episode about Hyper-V NOT being dead - https://youtu.be/w_A7amIzZtA

Windows Server 2025 Networking Enhancements - https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/networkingblog/revolutionizing-network-management-and-performance-with-atc-hud-and-accelnet-on-/4284889

#windowsserver #sysadmin #itpro

In this episode of the Sysadmin Weekly Podcast, hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron discuss Azure Local, a rebranding and enhancement of Azure Stack HCI. They explore the benefits, key use cases, and why SysAdmin should take a look at it. The conversation covers the features of Azure Local, including its integration with Azure Cloud management tools, virtualization capabilities, as well as potential applications in disconnected environments. The guys also emphasize the significance of communities and resources available for sysadmins getting started with Azure Local.

Want to contact the hosts? Email us at [email protected]!

Episode Resources

• Project Runspace
• Andy on Tech
• AMD / Lenovo System Running Azure Local at MS Ignite
  
• 
  AKS on Azure Local
• AVD on Azure Local
• Azure Arc Overview
• Azure Local Hardware Catalog
• Azure Local System Requirements
  

Key Takeaways

• Azure Local is a rebranding of Azure Stack HCI.
• The name Azure Local is clearer and more descriptive.
• Hyper-V and Storage Spaces Direct are included in Azure Local.
• Azure Local allows for unified management through Azure Arc.
• There are no urgent reasons to switch to Azure Local immediately.
• Azure Local supports Kubernetes and Azure Virtual Desktop.
• Azure Local can be beneficial in disconnected environments.
• Linux VMs work seamlessly in a Microsoft environment.
• Resources for getting started with Azure Local are available.

In the premiere episode of the SysAdmin Weekly Podcast, your hosts Andy Syrewicze and Eric Siron kick things off with a warm introduction, sharing their backgrounds as longtime System Administrators and Microsoft MVPs. They dive into the purpose of the show, unveiling their mission to support IT Pros with relevant insights and practical advice. Andy and Eric also introduce their online hub for aspiring SysAdmins, "Project Runspace," a valuable resource for the IT community. The episode’s main topic? Busting the myth and setting the record straight with: "No! Hyper-V is NOT Dead!" Tune in as they explore the truth about Hyper-V, its future, and why it remains a vital tool in the System Administrator's toolkit.

Relevant Links from this episode below!

Project Runspace > https://www.projectrunspace.org

Andy On Tech > https://www.andyontech.com

Microsoft Learn > https://learn.microsoft.com

Microsoft Learn Article on Cluster Shared Volumes > https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/failover-cluster-csvs