Windows Server 2022 Standard - more VMs with NO Key license possible?

Question

Hello,

we bought a new server (with 16 cores) including a Windows Server 2022 standard license.

We have installed ESXi for virtualization on the server.

There is a license sticker on the server with the Windows Server 2022 product key printed on it. With this license we can run 2 VMs. I have understood that. (One license allows 2 VMs).

We told the vendor that we need more licenses to run 6 Windows Server 2022 machines on the ESXi host.

Now he delivered two 16 core additional license which have no key.

Is this correct?

So we have 3x 16 core licenses now.. But only 1x with key - the other 2x 16 cores are without key....

Could we theoretically activate and run 6 VMs now with this single productkey which is on the sticker attached to the server? Or do we have to exchange the two 16 core no key licenses for two 16 core with key?

Thanks and kind regards

Answer 1

Yes, you have a 16 core server and 48 core license so you're good to go (license-wise) with 6 virtual machines. MAK keys have a specific number of activations allocated per key, assigned as per your license agreement. (ask the seller)

Each time you activate a MAK key, the count of remaining activations is decremented. This doesn't matter if the activation happens on the same machine or on different hardware. If you needed more activations on a MAK key, you would need to contact Microsoft.

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Answer 2

Now he delivered two 16 core additional license which have no key. Is this correct?

No this is not correct. You have nothing without the product key.

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Answer 3

Make sure to hang on to the documentation for record keeping and for audit purpose. If you have a 16 core server and 48 core license so you're good to go (license-wise) with 6 virtual machines.

Some general info

• Each host needs to be licensed.
• A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses is required for each server.
• Core licenses are sold in packs of two.
• Standard Edition provides rights for up to 2 Operating System Environments or Windows Servers containers with Hyper-V isolation when all physical cores in the server are licensed. For each additional 1 or 2 VMs, all the physical cores in the server must be licensed again.
• DataCenter Edition provides rights for unlimited Operating System Environments or Windows Servers containers with Hyper-V isolation when all physical cores in the server are licensed.

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