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During the upcoming cPanel Conference, Microsoft® will be conducting a session to address questions about their SPLA (Service Provider License Agreement) and how web hosting providers should use it.

This is important because Microsoft uses the SPLA to guide monthly license pricing on their products. So, as our Windows Server® hosting platform, Enkompass, nears its release, web hosts interested in this offering should turn their attention to the SPLA.

Recent SPLA changes
In July of 2009, Microsoft made some changes that introduced new concepts to the SPLA.

The July, 2009 Services Provider Use Rights (SPUR) introduced Windows Server® licensing based on “outsourcing” and “non-outsourcing” as new licensing definitions, replacing the previous “authenticated” and “anonymous” licenses. As a result, Microsoft now has two-tiered offerings for various editions of Windows Server. Both outsourcing and non-outsourcing are available for:

• Windows Server Standard
• Windows Server Enterprise
• Windows Server Datacenter

There is no change for Windows Server Web Edition in July, 2009; the single available SPLA offering still applies to all the scenarios allowed in the SPUR.

Definition of “outsourcing” for Windows Server
In making this SPLA change, Microsoft has defined “outsourcing” as follows:

Outsourcing is an application or service which a Service Provider manages on behalf of its customer. For purposes of this definition, the managed application or service is:

• Used by its customer’s employees, contractors, agents, or vendors, and
• Not the Service Provider’s intellectual property.

Important factors to consider when you apply this definition:

• The outsourcing definition is based on the application or service provided to a customer, and not how a Service Provider is categorized as an entity.
• Apply this definition to each individual server that is involved in delivering the application or service. This can result in scenarios where a Service Provider may have a mix of outsourcing and non-outsourcing servers from which they provide their managed service.
• The application or service must meet all portions of the definition to fit the definition.

Have you ever wondered …

1. Which version of Windows Server do you need to utilize Active Directory?
2. What’s the difference between Unauthenticated and Authenticated license types?
3. Are web hosting providers considered outsourcers or non-outsourcers?
4. What specific licenses will you need to run Enkompass?

If you’re coming to the Conference, this session will provide an open forum for getting answers from the experts.

Do you have additional questions about the SPLA? If you’re not attending, please feel free to email us (conference@cpanel.net) your questions and we will address them at the conference.

All accounts from this years event indicate the hosting industry is growing strong, and cPanel was on-hand, making a huge impression with a prime front-door position, live Enkompass RC0 demo’s, knowledgeable staff and tempting giveaways.

When asked what the increase in attendence was compared to HostingCon 2008, Beverly Yuellig, iNet Events Manager replied with, “13.8% to be exact”.

The new booth took about 12-hours to construct, including walls, graphics, carpet, network and electrical connections. The finished product was well worth the sweat (and bruises) as visitors and exhibitors alike commented on the permanence and strength of cPanel. Stability – and independence, were key take-away messages we wanted to convey at this years event. As consolidation continues within the industry, cPanel remains a strong, independent company dedicated to the web hosting professional. That message was well delivered.

At times, there was standing room only in the booth and surrounding aisles as seen in the images posted at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cpanelevents/. With extra staff in the booth, we were able to offer thorough attention to each visitor. Special thanks to all cPanel customers and visitors who contributed to make this event a success.

HostingCon and cPanel by the numbers:
100 – Number of exhibiting companies at HC 2009
126 – Number of Enkompass RC0 demonstrations
400 – Number of square feet (20×20) in cPanel booth
568 – Number of Enkompass t-shirts distributed
600 – Number of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies served by cPanel. *

*All remaining cookie dough was donated to a local charity :-)

Ready for the cPanel Conference? It’s just around the corner! And if you thought it couldn’t get any better, you should know we’ve lined up another exciting event.

On the evening of October 6, Joystix Games (http://www.joystixamusements.com) will be entertaining our attendees. Joystix is an old-school arcade, with bar and lounge attached, located just a couple blocks from the Conference. And on this night, we’re picking up the tab. That’s right — the games AND bar will be free.

But you have to register now! Get free passes to the Joystix fun when you register for the cPanel Conference before September 10. (If you sign up after September 10, you’re welcome to join us, but the cost to attend the Joystix party will be $25.)

*If you have already registered you name is automatically on the list.

So you can spend your day filling your head with technical knowledge and your evening unwinding with Pac-Man.

For more information about the cPanel Conference, check out http://conference.cpanel.net.