Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 is a shared computing operating system that allows multiple users to simultaneously share one "host" computer. Each user station provides an independent Windows desktop environment and consists of a monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to a station hub. The station hub connects to the host computer through USB or video cables and uses the host computer's processing capabilities.

This donation includes one Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 Premium Edition server license, which supports up to 20 simultaneously connected user stations.

Benefits for Organizations

You can use Windows MultiPoint Server to:

• Set up and maintain a computer lab, classroom, or other collaborative environment without server administration experience or a dedicated IT staff
• Save energy, simplify maintenance, and lower expenses by operating a shared computing environment
• Connect aging desktops, laptops, or thin clients as additional user stations by connecting them to the host computer using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) over a local area network (LAN)

Major Capabilities

• Centralized administration: The MultiPoint Manager application allows administrators to set up and manage Windows MultiPoint Server user stations. Administrators can create accounts for an unlimited number of users, who can access their customized desktop and settings by logging in to any user station.
• User monitoring: The MultiPoint Dashboard application allows nonadministrators, such as classroom instructors or computer lab staff, to monitor and interact with user stations. Dashboard users can view user activity, block users, limit web access, and project their desktop activities to all users. They can also open chat sessions with users and take control of a user's desktop to provide hands-on assistance.
• System restoration: Disk Protection protects the host computer by discarding changes made during user sessions and restoring the host computer to a "last known good state" after reboot.
• Shared software: Software programs installed on the host computer can be accessed from any user station, without separately installing the software for each user. (Note that Microsoft Office and other Microsoft programs require a separate license for each user station in a Windows MultiPoint Server environment. Other software manufacturers may have their own licensing requirements for shared computing environments.)
• Desktop virtualization: Administrators can create Windows 7 or Windows 8 client virtual machines to map to MultiPoint stations. These virtual machines can run software that might not be compatible with a 64-bit server operating system.
• Active Directory support: Windows MultiPoint Server can join an Active Directory domain and also participate in Group Policy and other domain functions.

Licensing

Windows MultiPoint Server is a special version of the Windows Server operating system. Each user station that connects to Windows MultiPoint Server must have two types of client access licenses (CALs), which are not included with this donation:

• Windows MultiPoint Server device CAL
• Windows Server device CAL

These two CALs are available through TechSoup separately or as a single donation (CAL pack for one station). If the host computer is used as a user station and not just for administration, it requires both types of CALs as well.

MultiPoint Server user CALs, as opposed to device CALs, are not available through TechSoup. This kind of licensing would be more costly in a typical MultiPoint Server setup than licensing per device. For example, a setup with 10 user stations would require just 10 device CALs for any number of users. If licensed per user, the same setup would require each user to have a separate license.

Obtaining This Product

Installing this product requires you to download the software from the Volume Licensing Service Center and enter a license key. You can download any available version or language for your product. After you download the software, learn how to install it or burn it to a disc for later use.

The license key allows you to install the product on as many computers as you have received licenses for. This quantity is specified in the first email you receive from TechSoup after requesting this product.

Expect three emails:

1. When your donation request has been approved, TechSoup will send a message to your organization email address confirming the number of licenses you have requested.
2. Microsoft will send an email welcoming your organization to the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
3. TechSoup will send an email with information about obtaining your license key and managing your donation at the VLSC. If you are new to the VLSC, you should wait for this email before you register there.

Software Assurance

Under the Software Assurance program, you have the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of your coverage.

• For host computer running Remote Desktop Session Host desktops:
• Dual-core x64 processor for up to four lightly loaded stations; one additional core or thread required for each two stations above four
• 2 GB RAM for MultiPoint Server; 512 MB RAM for each station
• 20 GB available hard-disk space
• For host computer running virtual machine–based virtual desktops (full Windows 7 / 8 instances):
• Processor: one-half core per virtual machine
• 2 GB RAM for MultiPoint Server; 2 GB RAM for each virtual machine
• 100 GB available hard-disk space for host; 5 GB for each virtual machine
• DirectX 11 graphics display adapter
• For each station:
• Monitor attached to corresponding video output, USB hub with attached keyboard and mouse, or thin/zero client
• Actual requirements depend on system configuration, applications and features that are installed, and number of connected stations

• This donation is available to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation and to public libraries. Public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database.
• Organizations that are not eligible: Not all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for participation in the Microsoft Donation Program. Those that are not eligible should visit Microsoft Volume Licensing for Industries for more information about charity licensing; they may still be eligible for discounted software from Microsoft. The following types of organizations are ineligible for Microsoft software donations:
• Governmental organizations or agencies.
• Educational institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools.
• Healthcare organizations and networks, including hospitals, specialty networks, ambulatory healthcare services, home healthcare and assisted living healthcare organizations, research organizations, and laboratories. Exceptions: Community health clinics, medical research groups, behavioral healthcare nonprofits, women's health centers, and blood banks are eligible to request Microsoft software donations.
• Political, labor, and fraternal organizations; commerce and trade associations without charitable aims or activities; sponsorships of events, tables, exhibitions, or performances; fundraising events such as luncheons, dinners, walks, runs, or sports tournaments.
• Religious organizations not registered as a charity and without a secular community designation that is separate from the church or religious organization. A secular designation is defined as an organization that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. Example: A food bank with nonprofit or charity status that is run by a church but is a separate and unique organization that provides food and meals to anyone who qualifies for services, regardless of religious beliefs. Religious organizations without secular designations can visit Programs for Charitable Organizations for information regarding licensing options; they may be eligible to receive discounted Microsoft software through these programs.
• Refurbishers that will be installing the donated software on refurbished computers to be distributed or donated to nonprofits or schools. Please visit the Registered Refurbisher Program.
• Nonpublic libraries, including private libraries, school libraries, specialty libraries, armed forces libraries, and libraries in government agencies.
• Eligible organizations receive an allotment of Microsoft software donation requests that is reset every two years. An organization’s two-year cycle begins with its first donation request after July 27, 2011. After two years, a new cycle begins, and a new allotment becomes available. The organization does not need to request the full amount of its allotment. There is no limit to the number of separate requests the organization can make and no minimum quantity requirement.
• During its two-year cycle, an organization can request products from up to 10 title groups. For title groups that contain applications that run on an individual computer (like a desktop or laptop PC), there is a 50-license maximum. For title groups that contain client access licenses or other licenses that provide for connection to or management of a server, there is also a 50-license maximum. For server products, there is a five-product maximum, regardless of title group. For further details, see Quantity and Frequency of Microsoft Requests on the Microsoft Donation Program — Eligibility and Allotments page.
• Public libraries may request Microsoft software donations through this program only for use on public access computers or on computers used to directly manage either the public access computers or the library's public access program. Participating libraries must also make their collection and basic services available to the population of their legal service area without charges to individual users (excluding incidental fees such as printing charges). If they so choose, libraries may impose charges on users outside the legal service area and may provide products and services (beyond basic services) to the public at large, with or without individual charges.
• Organizations that engage in discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, and/or retirement based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political affiliation, union membership, or veteran status, other than as allowed by law, are not eligible to participate in this program. Organizations must be willing and able to attest that they do not discriminate on any of these grounds in order to receive donations.
• Microsoft products may not be transferred between separate legal entities or resold. Additionally, Microsoft products may not be installed on computers that will be given to or sold to other organizations or individuals, even as part of a charitable program.
• Donated product will be distributed under this program to qualifying organizations and libraries only, not to individuals.