Online + Media Subscription FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The MSDN Academic Alliance Online + Media Subscription provides the same products, product keys, and license terms (including access to electronic downloads) as the Online (Electronic Fulfillment)Subscription, but is slightly more expensive because it also involves the creation and delivery of physical media.

Q. How can I get MSDNAA products from Microsoft with my Online + Media Subscription?

A. After signing up for an MSDNAA Membership, you will receive a mail from Microsoft containing important information, including your department number and your log in to MSDN Downloads. Once you log in, you'll be able to access products, keys, FAQs, and many other resources available to professional developers. Bear in mind that logging onto the MSDN download server is available to Administrators only. MSDNAA gives Administrators all the tools needed to create software distribution mechanisms for the students in their department.

You can expect to receive your media shipment in the mail 3 to 4 weeks after registration.

Q. How can I disseminate these products to my students?

A. After you receive your physical media, you may make copies of the software, disseminate these copies to your students, and use MSDN Subscriber Downloads to access any product keys that students may need to activate their products. The only downside to this method is that, in accordance with the MSDNAA License Terms, Administrators must keep a manual log of key distribution activity.

The other option is to use the e-academy License Management System (ELMS). ELMS is a Web-based software distribution system that Program Administrators can tailor to their department’s needs. ELMS is provided as a free benefit to MSDN Academic Alliance member departments worldwide, so no additional fees apply in order to use it. Essentially, ELMS enables Administrators to create a customized Web-based software and key distribution mechanism for their department, deploy it to their students, and enjoy the benefit of the maintenance-free record keeping inherent to the ELMS system.

Note: There is a brief deployment process, but the seamless record keeping, broad distribution, and easy maintenance are significant! We highly recommend that all Administrators consider the use of ELMS, which can be deployed in one of three ways:

1. Campus Hosted Downloads: This method of deployment allows Administrators to create an account for their department on the ELMS Application Server, upload identities of all students in their department, and create a locally hosted (on-campus) download server that eligible students can use to get their software.

Advantages: Identities, transactions, and records are automatically managed; locally hosted server enables student downloads to be very fast.

Disadvantages: Requires administrators to create a local download server (using a tool provided by Microsoft); MSDN AA software inventory must be downloaded to local server.

2. Direct Student Download: This method of deployment allows Administrators to create an account for their department on the ELMS Application Server, upload identities of all students in their department, and give eligible students access to a pre-configured download server.

Advantages: Extremely rapid, hassle-free set-up; requires no server maintenance on the part of the administrator.

Disadvantages: Available in Europe, Middle East, and Africa only; remote server can cause slow downloads.

3. Burn Station: This is a variation of the Campus Hosted Download. The Burn Station method follows nearly the same deployment scheme as the campus-hosted download, but it allows students to burn copies of products and product keys in their computer labs.

Advantages: Does not require students to have an Internet connection.

Disadvantages: Does not allow students to download remotely.

Learn more about ELMS and read a step-by-step deployment guide.