Most often used to refer to virtual desktops running the Windows client OS in VMs (virtual machines); sometimes used more broadly to describe any server-based desktop architecture or infrastructure. See synonym VDI for in-depth entry.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is most often used to refer to virtual desktops running the Windows client OS in VMs (virtual machines); occasionally used more broadly to describe any server-based desktop architecture or infrastructure.

This report covers the rules and options for licensing Microsoft software for server-based desktops.

When customers use virtual machines to provide server-based desktops, the Windows OS in the OS layer can be licensed based on several licensing options

Any server-based desktop infrastructure typically includes three key Microsoft products in the infrastructure layer, which must be licensed: Windows Server, SQL Server, and System Center

Any server-based desktop infrastructure typically includes three key Microsoft products, which must be licensed: Windows Server, SQL Server, and System Center.

This Webinar explains how to properly license Microsoft software used to run third-party VDIs, such as Citrix.