Virtualization policy

Many organizations have adopted virtualization practices to keep up with rapidly changing hardware and software requirements. You need fewer physical machines and can pool computer resources.

The ability to use your software in a virtual environment depends on what product you're using, how you purchased it, and whether the terms of use for that purchase plan permit virtualization. Check the system requirements of your software to be sure it will run in a virtual environment.

To verify that your software is eligible for use in a virtual environment, review the terms of access and use for your purchase plan. 

Purchase plans that allow some form of virtualization

• Named user subscription (single-user access or Autodesk Flex) or an Enterprise Business Agreement. Managers can deploy software so that an assigned user can access it from multiple devices, but only one authorized user can access a single license at a time. Named user subscription requires users to sign in to authorize their software access. If your virtual environment does not retain the user's MAC address on restart, the user will be required to sign in to every session to access their software.

• Network license servers, server components, or server-based product components. These are included with network license plans and subscriptions with multi-user access. You can virtualize server components on-premises on your own WAN, or off-premises through a third-party cloud provider. If you choose an off-premises option, ensure that:

  • The hosted software is properly secured by your third-party cloud provider.

  • You can control access to and use of the remotely hosted software.

Purchase plans that do not allow virtualization

• Subscriptions with multi-user access

Virtualization policy by purchase type

Technical support for virtual installation

Autodesk provides technical support to make sure that your software works properly, but doesn't provide technical support for your virtual environment. If you have an issue that requires technical support, our support experts may need to verify that the issue is related to your software and not the virtual environment.  They may ask you to replicate the problematic behavior in a physical environment. If it can be replicated, they will provide support. If it can't be replicated, you should contact your virtualization provider for support.