Sync release-hotfixes with main

Sync release-hotfixes with main

Author: sethmanheim

azure-stack/hci/azure-stack-hci-license-billing.yml

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+### YamlMime:FAQ
+metadata:
+  title: Azure Stack HCI OEM license and billing FAQ
+  description: The Azure Stack HCI FAQ provides information on the Azure Stack HCI OEM license and billing.
+  ms.topic: faq
+  author: ronmiab
+  ms.author: robess
+  ms.service: azure-stack
+  ms.subservice: azure-stack-hci
+  ms.date: 07/15/2024
+
+title: Azure Stack HCI OEM license and billing FAQ
+summary: |
+  This FAQ provides information on the Azure Stack HCI OEM license and billing and applies to Azure Stack HCI, version 23H2.
+
+sections:
+  - name: Azure Stack HCI OEM license and billing FAQ
+    questions:
+
+      - question: How can I purchase this license?
+        answer: |
+          This license is exclusively designed for Azure Stack HCI Premier Solutions, Integrated Systems, and Validated Nodes as a pre-installed license activated in Azure. Contact your OEM partner for more information.
+
+      - question: Do I have to license all physical cores?
+        answer: |
+          Yes. Every physical core in the server must be licensed. This license doesn't support a dynamic core license model. The base license covers up to 16 cores and extra two-core and four-core add-ons are available for systems with 16-cores or more. 
+          
+          For systems with 16-cores or more, you may combine licenses to cover all cores. For example, a 36-core system requires two 16-core licenses plus a four-core add-on license.  
+
+      - question: Is an annual renewal or subscription required for this license?
+        answer: |
+          No. This license doesn't require annual renewals or subscriptions. It’s a prepaid license that once acquired remains valid for the lifetime of the hardware that the Azure Stack HCI OS is installed on. You can continue using the license if the associated hardware, where the Azure Stack HCI OS is installed, remains functional and supported.
+      
+      - question: Which version of Windows Server is supported for this license?
+        answer: |
+          You can use Windows Server Datacenter 2022, or an [earlier version](/windows-server/get-started/automatic-vm-activation?tabs=server2025) that Microsoft supports, as a guest license.  
+
+      - question: Are next version rights for Windows Server Datacenter included?
+        answer: |
+          No. This license is limited to Windows Server Datacenter 2022 or earlier and doesn't include newer subsequent versions unless permitted by Microsoft. You can use Windows Server Datacenter 2022, or an earlier version that Microsoft supports, as a guest license.
+
+      - question: Where can I get support for this license?
+        answer: |
+          For support with your Azure Stack HCI OEM license first contact your OEM vendor. For additional help, file an Azure support request through [the Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com/).
+      
+      - question: Are mixed-node scenarios supported?
+        answer: |
+          No. This license doesn't currently support environments with mixed nodes in the same Azure Stack HCI system. For more information, see [Mixed-node scenarios](azure-stack-hci-oem-license.md#mixed-node-scenarios).
+
+      - question: Does Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) offer unlimited virtualization?
+        answer: |
+          Yes. AKS on Azure Stack HCI offers unlimited containers like Windows Server Datacenter offers unlimited virtualization. You can run as many containers and VMs as your infrastructure supports, without incurring extra licensing costs.
+
+      - question: Does Windows Server Datacenter provide unlimited VMs?
+        answer: | 
+          Yes. Windows Server Datacenter offers unlimited virtualization like AKS offers unlimited containers. You can run as many VMs and containers as your infrastructure supports, without incurring extra licensing costs. 
+
+      - question: Do I have access to the latest features?
+        answer: |
+          Yes. An active Azure subscription ensures you automatically receive the latest updates and enhancements for Azure Stack HCI and Azure Kubernetes Services on HCI. However, it's important to know that while Windows Server under this license receives security updates and fixes, it doesn't include enhancements.
+
+      - question: Are there Reassignment Rights associated with this license?
+        answer: |
+          No. This license doesn't include reassignment rights. This means that the license is tied to the original hardware on which the Azure Stack HCI OS is pre-installed and can't be transferred to different hardware or systems. This approach ensures that the license and its benefits remain specific to the initial hardware setup.
+
+      - question: Does this license include an End-User License Agreement (EULA)?
+        answer: |
+          Yes. There's an EULA that combines Azure Stack HCI (as the host), Azure Kubernetes Services on Azure Stack HCI, and Windows Server Datacenter 2022 (as the guest) into a single package.
+
+      - question: Is a product key or Certificate of Authenticity (COA) required?
+        answer: |
+          No. This pre-installed license doesn't include product keys or COA, the license is automatically authenticated once you register the device in Azure. Should you have any failure that requires a re-install, contact your OEM vendor.
+
+      - question: Do I need Device or User Client Access Licenses (CALs) with this License?
+        answer: |
+          No. For this specific license, there's no requirement for other Device or User CALs. The absence of CAL requirements with this license is specific to this offering and shouldn't be interpreted as a general exception from CALs for other server licenses or scenarios.

azure-stack/hci/azure-stack-hci-oem-license.md

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+---
+title: Azure Stack HCI OEM license overview
+description: Learn about the Azure Stack HCI OEM license, its benefits, license requirements, activation, and more.
+author: ronmiab
+ms.topic: overview
+ms.date: 07/15/2024
+ms.author: robess
+ms.reviewer: alkohli
+ms.subservice: azure-stack-hci
+# customer intent: As a content developer, I want to provide customers with the appropriate Azure Stack HCI OEM license information so that they can have a clear understanding of what the license is and how it can be beneficial to them.
+---
+
+# Azure Stack HCI OEM license overview
+
+[!INCLUDE [applies-to](../includes/hci-applies-to-23h2.md)]
+
+This article covers the Azure Stack HCI OEM license, its benefits, license requirements, activation, and more.
+
+## About the OEM license
+
+The Azure Stack HCI OEM license is designed for Azure Stack HCI hardware including [Azure Stack HCI Premier Solutions, Integrated Systems, and Validated Nodes](https://azurestackhcisolutions.azure.microsoft.com/#/catalog?systemType=PremierSolution). The license remains valid for the lifetime of the hardware, covers up to 16 cores, and includes three essential services for your cloud infrastructure:
+
+- Azure Stack HCI
+- Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS)
+- Windows Server Datacenter 2022 guest VMs
+
+For systems with 16 cores or more, there are extra two-core and four-core license add-ons available.
+
+ Additionally, this license grants you access to the latest versions of Azure Stack HCI and AKS, along with unlimited containers and virtual machines (VMs).
+
+## Benefits
+
+The Azure Stack HCI OEM license simplifies the licensing and activation process, reduces costs, and minimizes operational complexity. Other benefits include:
+
+- A single license for Azure Stack HCI, AKS, and Windows Server 2022 guest VMs.
+
+- No tools or keys to activate the Azure Stack HCI operating system.
+
+- Single vendor procurement for hardware, software, and full stack support.
+
+## OEM License requirements
+
+An active Azure account is required for license activation. When you purchase the hardware and activate this license, you should:
+
+- Install the latest versions of Azure Stack HCI, AKS, and Windows Server Datacenter 2022 guest VMs.
+
+- Ensure your Azure Stack HCI and AKS remain current to receive the latest updates and security patches.
+
+- Upgrade to the next version of Azure Stack HCI when the current version lifecycle ends to ensure continuous support and receive updates.
+
+## Verify the license status
+
+To verify if you have an active Azure Stack HCI OEM License, use these steps:
+
+1. Go to [the Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com).
+2. Search for your Azure Stack HCI cluster.
+3. Under your cluster, select **Overview** to check the **Billing status**.
+    - If you have an active Azure Stack HCI OEM license, your billing status should be **OEM License**, and your OEM license status should be **Activated**.
+
+        :::image type="content" source="media/oem-license/active-oem-license.png" alt-text="Screenshot of a cluster with an active Azure Stack HCI OEM license." lightbox="media/oem-license/active-oem-license.png":::
+
+    - If you don't have an active Azure Stack HCI OEM license, you should see a billing status of **Billed monthly**, and an OEM license status of **Not activated**.
+
+        :::image type="content" source="media/oem-license/no-active-oem-license.png" alt-text="Screenshot of a billed monthly cluster without an active Azure Stack HCI OEM license." lightbox="media/oem-license/no-active-oem-license.png":::
+
+For support with your Azure Stack HCI OEM license first contact your OEM vendor. If you're unable to obtain vendor support, file an Azure support request through [the Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com/).
+
+For more information on the Azure Stack HCI OEM license, see [Azure Stack HCI OEM license FAQ](./azure-stack-hci-license-billing.yml).
+
+## Licensing Windows Server guest VMs on Azure Stack HCI
+
+You can activate Windows Server VMs on an Azure Stack HCI cluster using generic Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA) client keys. This can be done through either Windows Admin Center or PowerShell. For more information on using AVMA to activate Windows Server VMs, see [Activate Windows Server VMs using Automatic Virtual Machine Activation](../hci/manage/vm-activate.md#activate-bring-your-own-license-byol-through-avma).
+
+## Licensing AKS on Azure Stack HCI
+
+For information on activating AKS, see [Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Stack HCI](/azure/aks/hybrid/aks-create-clusters-portal).
+
+## Mixed-node scenarios
+
+When a cluster or system uses different hardware models, operating system versions, or billing models this is known as a mixed-node scenario. Specifically for OEM license, if your cluster includes a mixed-node scenario where one or more of your servers don't have the OEM license, a notification in your monthly billing status details appears.
+
+:::image type="content" source="media/oem-license/warning-mixed-node.png" alt-text="Screenshot of a warning for a cluster with an unsupported mixed-node scenario." lightbox="media/oem-license/warning-mixed-node.png":::
+
+***We have detected mixed nodes in your cluster. You will be billed monthly for each node in your cluster as one or more servers in your cluster do not have an OEM license. To see which servers do not have the OEM license, go to Overview > Nodes and check the OEM license column. Learn more.***
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> Using the Azure Stack HCI OEM license in a mixed-node scenario may lead to inadvertent billing issues. All nodes in an Azure Stack HCI system require uniformity across the hardware, operating system, and billing treatment.
+
+Here are some examples of mixed-mode scenarios that aren't supported:
+
+| Scenario                                | Description         |
+|-----------------------------------------|---------------------|
+|Different hardware models or generations. | Using different manufacturers or different generations of hardware within the same cluster isn't supported.|
+|Varying operating systems or versions.    | Running different operating systems or different versions of the same operating system across the nodes in a cluster isn't supported.|
+|Different billing on server nodes.        | Mixing server hardware sold with an Azure Stack HCI OEM license and server hardware purchased with a regular Azure subscription isn't supported.|
+
+For support with billing issues related to mixed node scenarios, file an Azure support request through [the Azure Portal](https://portal.azure.com).
+
+## Next step
+
+- Read [License Windows Server VMs on Azure Stack HCI](/azure-stack/hci/manage/vm-activate?tabs=azure-portal).
+
+- Read [Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Stack HCI](/azure/aks/hybrid/aks-create-clusters-portal).
+
+- Read more about billing for specific OEM partners, see [Azure Stack HCI billing and payments](./concepts/billing.md).