Support of HP OEM VMware bundles on non HP Hardware

Hewlett-Packard (HP) offers a broad range of OEM VMware software for their HP ProLiant server familiy (VMware Virtualization Software and Client Virtualization with VMware View and VMware ThinApp). A customer can buy HP ProLiant servers and VMware software from HP. This also includes support for hard- and software, which makes it easy in case of support. You only have to call HP and they will do the rest. As you maybe know, I work for a IT solution provider and HP partner. It’s quite common, that a solution which is offered by us, consists of a large set of HP hard- and software. This has benefits for both sides: For us, and the customer, especially from the support perspective. The customer has a multi-vendor solution (HP and VMware), but support is done by HP. The other side of the medal is the financial perspective: The higher the project value, the better the discounts from HP. So it’s quite common that we sell HP OEM VMware licenses and support.

Today a collegue came with an interesting question: What is, if the customer decides to use non-HP equipment? Either because he wants to switch the vendor, or because the price of the HP OEM VMware software is better, than original VMware software. If you buy HP Reseller Option Kit (ROK), you are not entitled to use this software with non-HP server, unless Microsoft Software Assurance is added within 90 days (HP FAQ for Microsoft OEM licensing — Windows Server and SQL Server). We asked HP and we got an answer:

Customers who have purchased non HP platforms and VMware bundles or those planning to move HP’s OEM VMware software from an HP platform to a non HP platform can continue to receive the same level of support for their VMware products through HP services.

This means that you can use HP OEM VMware software on non HP severs. The support is delivered by HP services. This gives customers investment protection if they move on to another vendor. If the support from HP ends after 3, 4 or 5 years, the customer can extent the support or he can purchase support directly from VMware.

I’d like to see the face of the support engineer if you say “Hey HP, I have a problem with vSphere on my brand new Cisco UCS blade. Please help me!” ;)

Please note that these information might change over time. This information is offered “AS IS” with no warranties, and no rights are granted.