AWS services and tools for running Windows workloads, a hands-on launch of a Windows Server EC2 instance over RDP, and licensing with BYOL and AWS License Manager. 10:08:35

Windows workload services

  • Windows Servers on EC2 — select from a number of Windows Server versions, including recent ones like Windows Server 2019 10:08:35
  • SQL Server on RDS — multiple SQL Server database versions available 10:08:35
  • AWS Directory Service — run Microsoft Active Directory (AD) as a managed service 10:08:59
  • AWS License Manager — manage software licenses from vendors such as Microsoft 10:08:59
  • Amazon FSx for Windows File Server — fully managed scalable storage built for Windows 10:08:59
  • AWS SDK — specifically supports .NET, a favorite language of Windows developers 10:08:59
  • Amazon WorkSpaces — launch a Windows 10 virtual desktop: secure, durable workstations accessible from anywhere with internet 10:09:29
  • AWS Lambda — supports PowerShell as a programming language for serverless functions 10:09:29
  • Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) for Windows — migration methodology for large enterprises, with Amazon Partners providing professional services 10:09:29
  • There's more, e.g., an adapter for moving SQL Server over to RDS PostgreSQL 10:10:04

Follow-along: launching a Windows Server on EC2

  • Microsoft Windows Server AMIs include a free-tier-eligible option running on a t2.micro — notably, Azure has no free-tier Windows server 10:10:48
  • The default security group opens RDP so you can connect to the machine 10:11:16
  • For Windows AMIs, a key pair is required to obtain (decrypt) the Administrator password used to log in 10:11:37
  • Connect flow: Connect → RDP client → download the RDP shortcut (needs Windows or an RDP client; a Mac client exists in the App Store) 10:12:00
  • Decrypt the password by uploading your key pair file, then paste the password into the RDP client 10:12:59
  • Observations: Windows on AWS launches surprisingly fast, comes with a Windows license already applied (no activation prompt), and has outbound internet by default 10:13:50

BYOL and AWS License Manager

  • BYOL (Bring Your Own License) = reusing an existing software license to run vendor software on a cloud provider's compute; saves money when licenses were bought in bulk/at a discount 10:15:21
  • Example: License Mobility from Microsoft Volume Licensing for customers with eligible server applications covered by Microsoft Software Assurance 10:15:51
  • License Manager centrally manages licenses across AWS and on-premise; handles software licensed by virtual cores, physical cores, sockets, or number of machines — for Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Oracle, and other vendors 10:15:51
  • Works with EC2 dedicated instances, dedicated hosts, and even spot instances; for RDS, only Oracle databases (import your Oracle license) 10:16:25
  • EXAM TIP: for Microsoft Windows Server or Microsoft SQL Server licenses you generally need a DEDICATED HOST (because of the assurance program) — on the exam, gravitate toward dedicated hosts even though License Manager also works with dedicated/spot instances 10:16:25, 10:16:58