How SQL Server 2019 Enterprise edition Minimum License is calculated?

Question

SQL Enterprise is a 2-core license, and minimum of 1 server is 4 cores, therefore we will need to buy a minimum of 2 licenses.
So, if we have 2 servers should we buy 4 licenses? and if we have 3 servers, do we need to buy 8 license or 6 license?

Answer 1

Hi @Sotheavy Sombath

Of course, Olaf is right... we are not able to legally answer questions regarding licensing!

So here comes my personal opinion based on my own experiences and understanding:

All actual SQL server licenses are sold as a 1:1 license... 1 license = 1 core.
Microsoft sells them in a pack with 2 licenses = 2 cores.

for hardware, you can use old CPUs with only two cores = 2 licenses
for a virtual machine, you need at least 4 licenses minimum = 2 packs (2 licenses each pack)

if your virtual machine has 16 cores, you'll need 8 packs with 2 licenses each pack.

if you have 4 VMs with 4 cores each... you'll need 8 packs with 2 licenses each pack.

The only thing that really matters (if all machines are virtual machines) is that you have at least a minimum of 4 licenses per server and that you have enough licenses for all cores in all machines.

example:
Server1 : 2 cores => minimum 4
Server2 : 2 cores => minimum 4
Server3 : 6 cores => 6
Server4 : 4 cores => 4

You need to buy 18 licenses for 18 cores, they are sold as a pack of 2 => 9 packs of licenses.

To make it a little bit more difficult... this is only possible if you just have ONE edition... if you want to mix editions...

example:
Server1 - Standard Edition : 2 cores => minimum 4
Server2 - Enterprise Edition : 2 cores => minimum 4
Server3 - Enterprise Edition : 6 cores => 6
Server4 - Standard Edition : 4 cores => 4

You need to buy 8 licenses for 8 cores Standard Edition = 4 packs
You need to buy 10 licenses for 10 cores Enterprise Edition = 5 packs

I hope my answer is helpful to you,

Your
Bjoern Peters

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Answer 2

Hi @Sotheavy Sombath ,

This a license issue. 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,
Seeya

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