Licensing of add-on processors relates to HP’s transfer process

HP is taking an interest in the origin of additional processor boards which customers purchase for their HP e3000s, although a separate license for each processor isn’t required. Since HP has announced an end-of-support date for all 3000 systems except its new N-Class and A-Class units, extra processors for the older 3000s are expected to become more valuable. Add-on boards for Series 969s won’t be sold beyond May 1 by HP, so these will only be available on the used market. HP will be encouraging customers to establish a clean chain of ownership for such processors, although the requirement isn’t as strict as its licensing policies for 3000 systems.

Kathy Pierson of HP’s Commercial Systems Division said that a license transfer isn’t required to add a processor board to a server. But executing a Software License Transfer (SLT) is a good idea if a customer wants to sell the 3000 system being upgraded.

“If the customer’s system is covered under HP support, we tell them to make sure their support contract is updated at the time the processor upgrade is done — and that they get a copy of that new support contract right then,” Pierson said. “If they do not have the system under HP support, the Software License Transfer team strongly advises them to go through the motions of an SLT. Both of these actions would give the customer some valid proof of ownership (at the new model level) if they later decide to sell the server and request an SLT.”

Independent reseller John Lee of Vaske Computer Solutions found the HP policy interesting. “My understanding is that processors are not licensed, and therefore when you upgrade a system’s processors, you don’t have to apply for a license transfer,” he said. “HP is suggesting that they be informed of the change so that they can change the license of the original box to reflect its new status, which makes good sense for everyone. Now the next question is — will you have to go through with HP Licensing to prove that you did indeed upgrade the box?”