In 2013, I wrote a blog titled “Tale of the Mysterious Microsoft Virtual Appliance.” We republished it in 2017 with a few minor updates. I am happy to report that the mystery of the Microsoft Virtual Appliance is now solved. Microsoft has officially released a program that allows an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or independent software vendor (ISV) company to sell/ship a complete virtual appliance to their customers.
A Microsoft virtual appliance is completely virtual (no hardware, fully software-only). This is a virtual machine (VM) that contains a Microsoft operating system (OS) with a third-party software application, running on top of the OS and packaged in a virtual hard disk (VHD). This custom package enables an OEM or ISV to sell a software-only solution to an end-customer as a VHD file. They can then load into their existing hypervisor environment. Previously this was impossible because the OEM embedded IoT channel required that your application be installed on hardware before you can resell it.
This option of an OEM taking their hardware solution and creating a software-only virtual machine, then reselling it, had become a mystery. Today the mystery has been solved as Microsoft launches their VM as an Appliance (VMaaA) program.
The VMaaA is “ONLY” available via the OEM IoT channel and only for dedicated appliance/application solutions. OEMs with a customer license agreement (CLA) now have access to this new program, and ISVs not currently part of the IoT channel can sign a CLA and offer their software in a turnkey virtual machine.
This new program is available for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows Server IoT 2019, and Windows Server IoT 2022 operating systems. The program requires signing an amendment to the CLA that overrides the hardware requirement. Once Microsoft signs and approves the amendment, you gain access to some unique part numbers that allow you to provide a virtual solution. The licensing is available with two hypervisor options:
- Qualified Operating System (QOS) is available at a lower cost but requires a Microsoft hypervisor qualified operating system such as Windows Server IoT 2019.
- Non-QOS is also available for non-Microsoft hypervisors, including VMware, Red Hat, and Citrix.
Below are the part numbers for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise VMaaA:
| PART # | VM as an Appliance “VMaaA” PROGRAM PARTS (Requires Amendment) |
| 6F6-00138-1P | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise SAC High End (VMaaA Virtualization Only for QOS) |
| 6F6-00139-1P | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise SAC High End (VMaaA Virtualization Only for NON-QOS) |
| MUT-00046-1P | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC High End (VMaaA Virtualization Only for QOS) |
| MUT-00047-1P | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC High End (VMaaA Virtualization Only for NON-QOS) |
Below are the part numbers for Windows Server IoT 2019 VMaaA:
| PART# | VM as an Appliance “VMaaA” PROGRAM PARTS (Requires Amendment) |
| 6FA-00608-1P | Windows Server® IoT 2019 Standard (16 Core) (VM)(ESD) VMaaA |
| 6FA-00610-1P | Windows Server® IoT 2019 Standard (20 Core) (VM)(ESD) VMaaA |
| 6FA-00612=1P | Windows Server® IoT 2019 Standard (24 Core) (VM)(ESD) VMaaA |
| 6FA-00528-1P | Windows Server® IoT 2019 Standard Additional License (4 Core) VMaaA |
The two key customer targets for this virtual solution:
1. A standard hardware OEM building hardware appliance – A scenario they commonly run into is where their customer already has a server infrastructure and does not want to purchase additional hardware. With the VMaaA, the OEM can take their hardware solution and create a software-only option to sell to their customer. Many OEMs have specific hardware that includes sensors and devices that cannot replicate software. The primary application can often be converted to a software-only solution and sold separately. This new program allows the OEM to expand and offer a software-only option customized in a turnkey virtual machine.
2. ISVs selling a software-only solution without an operating system – This case occurred because previous restrictions of the OS required preinstallation onto hardware – The VMaaA program allows an ISV to preinstall their application onto the OS, customize and create a turnkey out-of-the-box virtual machine (VM) that their customer can quickly load into their existing infrastructure. This approach simplifies the end-user experience. ISVs can take advantage of this program by signing a CLA to join the IoT channel.
For more details on the VMaaA program, pricing, or to get started with a CLA, send an email to msembedded@arrow.com and our experts will respond within 24 business hours.
