Microsoft Virtual Server / Win2003 Enterprise 64-bit Licensing

I am leasing a Dell 1950/Woodcrest from a major hosting provider. The
machine has Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 installed, and I have
also installed Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition
(x64). I understand the new Microsoft licensing for Windows Server 2003
Enterprise allows me to run up to four (4) concurrent virtual machines
under the host license. The problem, though, is that the latest version
of Microsoft Virtual Server does not support x64 guests.

How do I deal with this? I need to run the 32-bit version of Windows
Server 2003 Enterprise, but how do I get an ISO and license key? Will
the x64 license key work on the 32-bit version?

-Greg

 

How you obtain license keys and ISOs is all the usual methods. The most
common usual method for this particular scenario is probably Open License.
It is my understanding that Open License has cross-licensing rights for
Server 2003, though I don't pretend to be an expert on licensing.
Cross-licensing means that you can use either 32-bit or 64-bit, and it
should have media available for both.

 

Thanks, Charlie. The hosting companies have special deals with
Microsoft, so I'm not sure how this would apply. I will ask, however.

-Greg