failing to activate SQL Server PAYG via Azure-Arc SQL Extension on a vmWare platform.

Question

failing to activate SQL Server PAYG via Azure-Arc SQL Extension on a vmWare platform.

Rasmus Lindberg 35

Hi.
Platform is: VMware vCloud 10.4.2.2 och vSphere 7.0U3o
Azure-Arc is using the latest agent.
Azure-Arc SQL Extension is also using the latest agent.
Server is Windows Server 2022 Datacenter edition
SQL Server is 2022 16.x

Se attached image for the SQL-Server installation setup.

EDIT: Removed Image

According to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/manage-configuration?view=sql-server-ver16&tabs=azureIt shoulld basicly be a next-next installation. We have tried following that instruction on a Hyper-V host and it works without issues but doing this on the vmWare host PAYG option is greyed out

But since this is a vmWare platform we have this information aswell: "

Azure extension for SQL Server fully supports VMware clusters outside of Azure. Although the SQL Server 2022 (16.x) Setup Installation Wizard does not support installation of the Azure extension for SQL Server, this component can be installed from the command line in quiet mode, or by connecting SQL Server to Azure Arc. For more information, see Install and connect to Azure and Automatically connect your SQL Server to Azure Arc.", provided by: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/azure-arc/overview?view=sql-server-ver16

We've installed the agent both via Azure extensions and via silent cmdline. Still can not activate PAYG

We have acces full access via internet and Owner rights in the azure subscription. We have 0 issues actually onboarding the SQL-Server to Azure-Arc. So issue is directly related to enabling PAYG. If we do set it on the SQL Server page via Azure-Arc it resets if we refresh the page.

Accepted answer

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Erland Sommarskog 121.4K MVP Volunteer Moderator

I believe there is an issue in the SQL Server setup that causes the Azure Arc connection fall out of Setup when you are on VMWare. You may note that that Azure Arc extension for SQL Server is missing from the ToC to the left:

User's image

I have run into the same issue on VMWare workstation.

This is no showstopper. Just get a product key, and then you can enable PAYG from the portal. As I understood it, you have already Arc-enabled the OS, and the agent will find SQL Server and enrol it automatically.

Rasmus Lindberg 35 Reputation points

2023-11-27T22:15:40.02+00:00

So you’re saying that enabling the PAYG option in the azure portal should work successfully, therefore i could put it in evaluation license and then enable PAYG for standard and it would work? How does the SQL-Server know its being licensed?

I believe i’ve mentioned that we can succesfully enable the sql-extension, just not the PAYG option via the installer and we are unable to see any difference being made license whise on the SQL-server after we change it in the portal.
Erland Sommarskog 121.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-11-27T22:23:46.04+00:00

I don't think Evaluation will work, since that is a separate edition. So you need a product key for the edition you want. And of course, if you don't have a key, there is a bit of a problem. If you have a MSDN subscription, you could get pre-pidded installation media that way. If that does not work out, I think opening a support case is a good idea.

I only have this in my home lab, so in my case I have Developer Edition, so I did not have the key problem.
Rasmus Lindberg 35 Reputation points

2023-11-27T22:29:47.3733333+00:00

Okey, this kind of feels like a grey area… If we do use a key for that installation, would we not be considered uncompliant license whise? What is stoping some one from re-using the same key? - I’m really not familiar with SQL Licensing so i’m a bit hessitant on the way forward with a key.

When using Hyper-V or Azure Cloud, we don’t need a key as we see in the picture you sent and this is what would be the optimal scenario.
Erland Sommarskog 121.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-11-27T22:34:29.43+00:00

The license is basically a piece of paper. You can use the same key many times, as long as you can show that you have the licenses to cover the installations. And if you select Pay-as-you-Go that is your license.

But since this is a legal matter and this is a technical forum, you may want to talk to Microsoft person for an authoritative answer.

Share via

failing to activate SQL Server PAYG via Azure-Arc SQL Extension on a vmWare platform.

0 additional answers

Your answer