MSDN Subscriptions

BriGy86

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
4,537
1
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I tried looking at the site but the info was a bit vague. I'm wondering what software you can download with what subscription.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/subscriptionschart.aspx

For example I'm looking at the "MSDN Operating Systems" one. Does this include all client and server OS's as well as office?

This link provides a complete list but doesn't say what software is available with what subscription
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...D-DF84EF88511B/Products_by_Benefit_Level.xlsx

It seems as though having one of these subscriptions would be a better investment if I want to stay current on Operating systems and server functions.

Anyone else familiar with this?
 

MerlinRML

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
207
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MSDN Operating Systems include all client and server OSes but not Office. It is, as the name implies, only operating systems. This is a great tool for test organizations and IT organizations that need to do testing on different OSes, but they really don't need/want any more than that.

If you want to get Office, you'll have to get the MSDN Premium subscription with whatever version of Visual Studio you're looking to get. This is where the packages are pretty much aimed solely at developers.

If you're just looking for some of the software (but not all) there may be more cost effective ways to go. I think the Action Park is a pretty decent option, and there are probably others.

Edit: Also, I glanced at your benefits link, and the different sheets/tabs show everything that is included with every subscription. If you're looking for the difference between each one, that isn't clearly spelled out but you should be able to figure it out.
 
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BriGy86

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
4,537
1
91
Thanks for the response, I didn't notice the tabs at the bottom at first. It looks as though the OS only option is about 700 a year which is pretty good if you are using XP and server 08 and possibly more clients. If I wanted to upgrade to one that also had office it looks like a thousand more dollars if not more. Is that assumption correct?

Also, could I use one of these licenses for a home computer and then a server and clients to keep up on my skills? I'm wondering if installing on a home computer would violate the license.

Thanks again!
 

Ross Ridge

Senior member
Dec 21, 2009
830
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Installing any of the operatining systems on a live server or home computer almost certainly means you're violating the EULA. The MSDN subscriptions are only licensed for developing and testing code. If use the operating systems for anything else, like playing games, or serving files, then you need a regular license for that OS.

You might want to look at a TechNet subscription, it's ment for IT professionals so they can evalute Microsoft software. You can't use it in a "production" enviroment either, but if you just want to play around with Microsoft OS's that might be a better (and cheaper) fit.

Or you could just install the OS in time-limitted evalution mode for free, but again you can't use it for anything useful.