SQL on Virtual Machine with Self-Install SQL server in Azure

sid 121

We have deployed a Windows Server 2016 virtual machine in Azure. We now need to install SQL Server Standard edition on it. During the installation process, we are prompted to enter a key to proceed. We want to convey that we will be using a PAYG SQL license while installing. How can we install SQL and ensure that it will use PAYG licensing in self-install? "Am I missing something here?"

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Greg Low 1,770 Reputation points Microsoft Regional Director

2024-03-16T23:40:17.1566667+00:00
I spoke to the brains trust and it appears the easiest way to do this is:

Spin up another VM with the correct version of SQL Server that you want pre-installed

Copy the Install folder for SQL Server from that new VM to your VM

Drop the extra VM

Proceeed with the install as normal.

This would get you around the need to have a product key as it's pre-pidded.

It is now described in the FAQ here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/frequently-asked-questions-faq?view=azuresql#how-do-i-get-the-sql-server-installation-media--

I'll ask them to update the doco to mention the product keys, as I don't think that's immediately obvious from that page.
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sid 121 Reputation points

2024-09-04T04:29:10.5766667+00:00

Just a quick reminder: we need to install the SQL VM agent in order to fetch the compliant license.
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2 additional answers

Greg Low 1,770 Reputation points Microsoft Regional Director

2024-03-12T08:49:32.3333333+00:00

You can choose a Windows Server image that has SQL Server options:

Then when you click the Select link, you'll see the available SQL Server options:

You can then have this as PAYG.
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sid 121 Reputation points

2024-03-12T10:00:18.94+00:00

Not with the marketplace image I mentioned manually, what if you already have a virtual machine and you want to install SQL server standard on it?

Greg Low 1,770 Reputation points Microsoft Regional Director

2024-03-13T03:17:48.4233333+00:00

That would require you to register the VM with the SQL IaaS Agent extension: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/sql-agent-extension-manually-register-single-vm?view=azuresql&tabs=azure-portal

sid 121 Reputation points

2024-03-15T05:55:41.9566667+00:00

The VM can be registered with SQL IaaS Agent extension, but it asks me for a license key before installing. Since I want to use Azure PAYG licensing for my VM, why do I need to enter the key?

Greg Low 1,770 Reputation points Microsoft Regional Director

2024-03-15T06:03:03.4133333+00:00

Are you trying to do it in the portal? According to the instructions here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/sql-agent-extension-manually-register-single-vm

It says that it's not currently possible to register your SQL Server VM with the SQL IaaS Agent extension by using the Azure portal. It says you must use the Azure PowerShell or Azure CLI option. (No idea why).

But it does say "Provide the SQL Server license type as either pay-as-you-go (PAYG) to pay per usage, Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHUB) to use your own license, or disaster recovery (DR) to activate the free DR replica license." so it should support PAYG.

sid 121 Reputation points

2024-03-15T07:31:16.7033333+00:00

Thanks, Greg really appreciate it. The VM is already there. The only thing we need to do is install the SQL standard edition. My question is how do we install the SQL standard edition? During installation of SQL standard edition, we are required to enter a license as well. Why would I need to enter a key when I am going to use Azure PAYG licenses? Hope you understand.

Greg Low 1,770 Reputation points Microsoft Regional Director

2024-03-15T09:21:16.97+00:00

I would have thought you'd need to use an eval license instead. But there's a note on the change your license type page that says "Only supported for the Standard and Enterprise editions of SQL Server. License changes for Express, Web, Developer, and Evaluation aren't supported." I can't see how else you can install without a key.

I've passed the question to a friend that works in the SQL Server on Azure team, and also to the MVP brains trust. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back.

Greg Low 1,770 Reputation points Microsoft Regional Director

2024-03-16T00:46:20.3766667+00:00

OK. More updates. I spoke to people who said that if you put in the Eval license for an earlier version, then you have to contact support to change it to PAYG, as the portal-based conversion options are only to/from Retail and PAYG.

However, if you are happy to work with SQL Server 2022 (and I'd encourage you to use it anyway), in the install UI for SQL Server, there's an option to choose PAYG:

sid 121 Reputation points

2024-03-16T09:48:49.5466667+00:00

Firstly, thank you for your effort. I have learnt after a lot of research that the setup must be copied from an image which already has setup. after that we change property to payg and standard edition This is a very weird approach to say the least.
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ZoeHui-MSFT 37,441 Reputation points

2024-03-13T03:07:30.18+00:00

Hi @sid,

here are three license models for an Azure VM that's hosting SQL Server: pay-as-you-go, Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB), and High Availability/Disaster Recovery(HA/DR). You can modify the license model of your SQL Server VM by using the Azure portal, the Azure CLI, or PowerShell. While you create a SQL Server VM, you have this option to select the licensing model. For more details, please visit - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/licensing-model-azure-hybrid-benefit-ahb-change?tabs=azure-portal

Regards，

Zoe Hui

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SQL on Virtual Machine with Self-Install SQL server in Azure

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