[NTLUG:Discuss] Non-subscription enterprise licenses?

[David Stanaway]

I am shocked to discover that windows is going to be cheaper than Linux
for a vendor supported platform for an app I need to run. Please say it
isn't so!

I am looking at an app that runs on 'doze server platform, RHEL, SUSE
and Solaris.  I am sure it would install fine on CentOS, but then if I
have any support issues it is going to bite me.

Very frustrated, I don't need any web support or OS support on the
system, I just want a legal entitlement to run the OS, and be able to
manually keep it up to date.

The things that frustrate me are having to pay per VM, not per physical
host (Or 5 pack), and having to keep the subscription indefinitely.

I have been aching to try and get some commercial Linux into my 'shop',
but if the cost is going to be almost the same if not more than just
throwing more true-up bucks at Microsoft, then it will be a hard sell.

Have people had any luck twisting their vendors arms to support their
product on a CentOS install when they only officially support true red RHEL?