Azure Hybrid Benefit VM Vs SQL Virtual Machine

Question

Hello,

I have question regarding AHUB.

I Have a SQL Virtual Machine with license configured:

But i don't have Hybrid benefit configured on Virtual Machine Side:

My Question is: If i activate the Hybrid benefit also in VM i will get more discounts? OR the SQL Server License activated via SQL Virtual Machine already covers the Windows Server License?

My Organization have those licenses, i only need to know if i should use one Windows Server in these types of VMS (SQL Virtual Machines) or i can use in another VMs because Hybrid Benefit from these VMS are covered by SQL Server License.

Regards

Answer 1

Hi Fábio,

If i activate the Hybrid benefit also in VM i will get more discounts? OR the SQL Server License activated via SQL Virtual Machine already covers the Windows Server License?

A: Yes, if you check the box as shown in your second screenshot to use Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB) for Windows Server for your VM, the hourly Compute price for the VM will be reduced. No, the SQL Server AHB License activated via SQL Virtual Machine does not cover Windows Server License.

Each AHB check box impacts separate/independent billing charges. When you enable AHB for the VM, that causes the VM instance to be charged at the base rate for that size, which doesn't include Windows Server license. Similarly, when you enable AHB for SQL Server VM, that causes SQL Server VM license to be charged at $0 for that VM.

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful. If the above is unclear please add a comment below and I can expand with an example.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

Hello, @Fábio Santos !

Following up on my initial comment, you can use the Azure Pricing Calculator and the Portal to confirm @TP's answer (I've voted for it and please accept it when you get the chance).

It looks like the point of confusion in the portal is the VM cost vs the total cost including the software/SQL Server license (in addition to multiple applications of Azure Hybrid Benefit). If you select Azure Hybrid Benefit for the OS in the portal, you will see a price that matches the total in the pricing calculator ($0.397 x 730 hours for a month cost of $289.81 in this example). This is presented as the virtual machine price, which matches the calculator price once you remove the software (SQL Server) cost by using Azure Hybrid Benefit for Software (SQL Server).

More simply put, Azure Hybrid Benefit for OS (Windows) reduces the Windows Server cost and Azure Hybrid Benefit for Software (SQL Server) reduces the SQL Server license cost. What you see in the portal is the VM and OS (Windows) cost.

An example of the cost shown in the portal and the Azure Pricing Calculator total: