Chris Kayser
Many organizations have adopted virtualization practices to keep up with the increasing pace and cost of business. As a result, there have been questions surrounding whether virtualization of Autodesk software is allowed and supported. No need to wonder anymore, we are here to clarify.
First of all, what is virtualization?
Virtualization lets you run your applications on fewer physical devices. Each app is isolated within the device, so that fewer devices are needed and other computer resources can be pooled together.
For IT managers and administrators, this means saving time and lowering costs without sacrificing high performance. Thus, it comes as no surprise that increasingly more organizations are choosing virtualization to give their employees increased time to focus on other responsibilities.
So, can I virtualize my Autodesk software?
The short answer is… it depends. We just updated our Terms of Use to reflect the information below – read on to see if you qualify*.
If you have a subscription with single-user access or a Enterprise Business Agreement, the answer is yes! Go ahead and virtualize your software. We allow virtualization since IT managers can deploy the software to multiple devices, but only the individual user can access the software at any given time – so you can stay compliant.
If you have a subscription with multi-user access, you are unable to virtualize your software to use on desktop workstations at this time. Although we would like to provide virtualization for all subscriptions, the lack of identified users means we cannot verify user access for license compliance.
If you have a maintenance plan, you are also unable to virtualize your software at this time. We are only able to offer virtualization as a benefit for purchase plans that authorize software usage for individual users.
As a reminder, for subscriptions with multi-user access or maintenance plans for network licenses, if you only want to virtualize your network license server and not your actual workstations, you are able to do so.
Does Autodesk provide technical support for virtualization?
Technical support is where it gets a little tricky.
To avoid issues, you should be following documented System Requirements for your product, to see if there is a recommended set up for virtual environments.
In the case that you face difficulties with our software while running it in virtualized environments, we will need to check if it is indeed an Autodesk software issue to help get it resolved.
To do this, our tech support experts will ask you to replicate the problem in a physical environment. If the problem persists, we are happy to fix it for you! However, if it cannot be replicated, we recommend you contact your virtualization provider, so they can help you best.
Okay, I’m ready to virtualize. What should I do now?
- Confirm you’re permitted to virtualized, based on our Terms of Use
- Check the Autodesk Knowledge Network for your applicable System Requirements and Virtual Installation Guidelines
- Register for “Best Practices for Virtualizing your Autodesk Software” at Autodesk University 2018
*Note that not all Autodesk product offerings may be virtualized. You may virtualize a product only if the applicable terms and conditions governing your access to and use of that offering expressly permit virtualization. Where virtualization is authorized, all conditions and limitations specified in the applicable terms and conditions apply. Autodesk may make available information regarding use of products in virtualized environments. Such information is offered solely for your convenience, on an “as is” basis, and may contain errors, inaccuracies, or may be incomplete. Autodesk makes no representations, warranties or other promises related to use of any product in any virtualization environment or with any virtualization technology. If you are authorized to virtualize and elect to do so, you assume all risks associated with such use, including, but not limited to incompatibility between the product and third-party virtualization technology and/or your virtualization environment. Read our Terms of Use and for more information.