virtualbox.org

Hello all,

I'm in the process of collecting several ISOs so I can build a virtual network within virtual box for purposes of penetration testing. I'm about to download a 180 day evaluation version of windows server 2012 and I'm just curious how that will play out. Will I just be able to delete the virtual setup in 5-6 months and reinstall it to reset the timer on the evaluation period? Is there a better approach to this sort of thing that doesn't actually involve purchasing the expensive software?

Anyone?

I doubt it. Evaluation copies are timebombed and not easily fooled.

Well I personally can't wait to assist those who want to defraud software companies out of their money. Do you need any assistance with shoplifting as well?

If you delete the virtual machine and recreate it from scratch, then the evaluation timer will be reset as well. No software inside the VM can ever tell that there was a previous VM before that. You will of course need to reinstall everything from scratch, including the OS.

As for the legality of this, it is a legal use of the evaluation version to install it in a VM, then destroy the VM after the end of the evaluation period. You may reinstall the evaluation version in a new VM. Various restrictions on the evaluation version apply of course, for example you may only use it to test, demonstrate, and internally evaluate it. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, and this is only my personal understanding of the situation, based on the EULA and various Microsoft communications)

Edit: Note that evaluation in this context means evaluating the software itself (Windows Server) and its suitability for your environment. The software may not be used for any production purposes. There are naturally grey areas about what constitutes evaluation and what is production use, but if you are using the software for penetration testing of your production systems, that sounds like it may be beyond the scope of the evaluation license.