Virtual Environment set up and licensing

Question

Hi,

I would like to get some clarification on what licenses I need please?

I would like to purchase a 32 core server with a single processor. I would like to run multiple VM's on this server, one of which will be a 4 core SQL server to service the full factory.

I would like to clarify that I need only the following licenses and with this I will be able to set up any number of VM's (Hardware permitting) and that any number of users and applications will be able to access both the VM's and the SQL server?

• SQL Server Standard 2022, 2 X 2 core license
• Windows Server Datacentre 2022, 2 X 16 core licenses

Could you please confirm that the Windows Server Datacentre comes with the Hyper-V software to create the virtual environments and to manage them without having to purchase this in addition.

Thank you for your assistance

Answer 1

So even with the core license on the server, I still need a CAL license for every user or device

Yes, that is correct. Core licensing for the host is for the windows server license according to the host physical core count.

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Answer 2

Hello @Lester Kelly !

To add on @Anonymous notes :

Microsoft requires that every user or device that uses a service hosted on Windows Server have a license, called a Client Access License. You need CALs to make any use out of Windows Server.
All users/devices that connect to your domain are required to have a Client Access License (CAL). This is specific to the client machine

Taken from this thread : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/328793/do-i-really-need-cal-license-do-active-direcor

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I hope this helps!

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Regards

Answer 3

Could you please confirm that the Windows Server Datacentre comes with the Hyper-V software to create the virtual environments and to manage them without having to purchase this in addition.

Yes it does, but no SQL licensing is a part of your windows DataCenter license.

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 4

Hello @Lester Kelly !

Welcome to Microsoft QnA!

SQL :

You need to have a minimum of 4 cores licensed for SQL Server. With 2 sets of 2-core licenses (a total of 4 cores) is appropriate for this setup.

Windows Server Datacenter edition includes Hyper-V, planning to purchase 2 sets of 16-core licenses is the correct way !

So to sum it up purchasing 32 cores licenses of Windows Server Datacenter and 4 cores licenses of SQL Server Standard, you will be able to set up any number of VMs and have any number of users and applications access both the VMs and the SQL Server.

You may need to verify the Apps you plan to use , it is possible you may need CAls if you have simultaneous users accessing the App. Have a look below

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Licensing/product-licensing/sql-server

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/pricing

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license

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I hope this helps!

Kindly mark the answer as Accepted and Upvote in case it helped!

Regards

Answer 5

Can you elaborate more on how I may need CAls

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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