Windows Server licensing Cores/CAL's

Question

I am referring to Server Standard for my questions, not datacenter.

If you need a 16 core license to be "fully licensed", then why are there 2 core licenses?

1 16 core license will allow 2 Hyper-V VM's?

If I want to run more than 2 Hyper-V VM's on standard, I've read that I need to buy more cores for the host? Do I just need a receipt saying I bought 2 licenses or is there a way to increase the number of cores on the host's activation?

If I buy 2 16 core licenses, could I run 4 VM's on a single server standard box?

If I want to run more than 2 VM's on standard, how many more cores would I need and how would I apply them?

Does anyone know how many activations Techsoup's server licenses have per license?

Say I have a regular AD environment and an exchange server. What CAL's would I need? Do I need one for every single computer and user account on the network? Do I need one for every single Exchange mailbox?

If Office 365 is implemented in that environment, would additional licenses need to be purchased, besides Office 365 per user licenses?

Answer 1

Some servers have multiple processors, processors come in different core count sizes. Yes, you can stack licenses.

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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Answer 2

If I buy 2 16 core licenses, I can have 4 VM's on a single box? But how do I install 2 activation keys?

You don't, the additional core licenses are just paperwork proof of your licensing. If you bought an additional 16 core pack then you could use either or mixed bag of the product keys for the guests.

What is the purpose of 2 core licenses if you always need 16 core licenses?

Well not always since it depends on the physical core count of the server in question. If one had a server with two 12 core processors, then one could buy a 16-core plus four 2-core packs to total 24 cores.

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Answer 3

To confirm, 2 16 core licenses will allow 4 VM's on a single box?

Yes, if the CPU/core are covered twice. If you buy later another server to have redundancy you will need to buy the same licenses count to covers the same 4 VM for that server.

Say I have a regular AD environment and an exchange server. What CAL's would I need? Do I need one for every single computer and user account on the network? Do I need one for every single Exchange mailbox?

Yes, you need to fully cover your CAL for your enterprise size/headcount.

Windows CAL for each user/device. (If an DC in 2019 in example, you need at least Windows CAL 2019 or higher (client CAL from older version can't be used)

Exchange CAL for each users.

Dont forget Office CAL too if needed

(nb; I seen a lot of enterprise that got audited because they got like 50 Exchange CAL, but like 10 Office CAL, an imbalance there can get you contacted by Microsoft more easily for an audit.)

Answer 4

To confirm, 2 16 core licenses will allow 4 VM's on a single box?

Assuming the physical core count is 16 cores then yes.

Say I have a regular AD environment and an exchange server. What CAL's would I need? Do I need one for every single computer and user account on the network? Do I need one for every single Exchange mailbox?

A Windows Server CAL is a license that grants access Windows Server. CALs are used in conjunction with Microsoft Windows Server OS licenses to allow Users and/or Devices to access and utilize the services of that windows server

• User CALs allow a single user access to any number of Windows Servers from an unlimited number of devices
• Device CALs allow an unlimited number of users to access any number of Windows Servers from a single device
• CALs are licensed to access servers of the same level and below. (not forward compatible)
• Only 1 CAL per user or per device is required regardless of how many servers you actually have.

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Answer 5

If I get 2 16 core MAK licenses, would I need to buy more for a 2nd box even if there's activations still left?

Yes you would need other licensing for another physical box.

For windows Cals you only need one or the other; device or user Cals.

For the exchange question you could ask a new question here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/17/office-exchange-server

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