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AWS License for Access Server

Abstract

What are the options for Access Server on the AWS Marketplace?

Question: What is the AWS license available for Access Server?

Answer:

On the Amazon AWS Marketplace, you can search for "OpenVPN Access Server" and find several offerings, most of which include a notation like "(xx connected devices)" in their title. Here's how the licensing and billing work for these AWS tiered instances:

1. Automatically licensed instances

  • Description: The "(xx connected devices)" notation indicates that the instance comes pre-licensed for the specified number of VPN connections upon launch from the AWS Marketplace.

  • Billing: Licensing costs are bundled with AWS instance costs and are billed hourly through Amazon AWS. The costs include both software licensing and running the EC2 instance.

2. Cost management

  • Active Running Costs: Charges for the software license and the EC2 instance apply while the instance runs.

  • Stopping Instances: If you stop the instance, you cease incurring additional costs for the software licensing and the instance operation, though minimal charges for storage may still apply.

  • On-Demand Use: These instances are ideal for on-demand usage. You can keep an instance on cold standby, ready to launch as needed.

Trial offer for five connected devices

  • Free Trial Period: The Access Server instance for five connected devices includes a 7-day trial during which there are no software licensing costs. You are only responsible for the infrastructure costs associated with running the EC2 instance.

  • Post-Trial Billing: After seven days, software licensing billing commences if the instance continues to run. The 8th day marks the start of software license billing.

Bring your own license (BYOL) option

  • BYOL Setup: The AWS Marketplace also offers a BYOL option that allows two concurrent connections by default. To expand the number of connections, you must purchase a license from the Access Server Portal.

  • Billing: The license key for additional connections is billed directly by OpenVPN Inc., separate from Amazon AWS. However, the costs for running the EC2 instance are still billed by Amazon AWS.

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