How to license SQL Server Enterprise Edition in virtual environment

Question

According to SQL SERVER 2019 LICENSING DATASHEET, my understanding is that if I want to license SQL Server Enterprise running on a VM then I need to purchase just core licenses for each virtual core (vCPU) on that VM and NOT physical cores of the host. Furthermore, if I want to build AG with 3 nodes (one primary and two secondary replicas) then SA license is also needed but there is no need for any additional licensing of two secondary replicas? Is that correct?

Answer 1

Hi @Aleksandar STAMENKOVIC ,

Thank you for reaching out and welcome to Microsoft Q&A.

For detailed information about the license issue, you can call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Or you can go to Volume Licensing Service Center support. Please choose region/language and choose to call or have web.

Best regards,

Lucy Chen

---

If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our Documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/support/email-notifications

Answer 2

Hello,

This is a community forum for technical questions & issues.

For question regarding pricing / licensing please contact a Microsoft sales partner or licensing expert.

Call (1-800-426-9400), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST to speak directly to Microsoft licensing specialist.