Add another or stack a license on server 2022?

Question

How do you add another or stack a license on MS server 2022? I bought a used recertified Dell R740 twin Zeon CPU's with total of 48 cores and 128 GB ram, and added 12 new SSD hard drives. I set them up as a Raid 10 to be used as a DC to replace our aging DC server. Next, I bought two 24 core standard server 2022 licenses plus a 50CAL license. Downloaded Microsoft 2022 Server Standard Evaluation.
I then installed one of the 24 core license using the admin level on CMD with a script. That license was accepted. Now I need to add (stack) the other 24 core license, how do I do that? Also, how do I add the CAL licenses? Seems like life was simpler with Server 2019.

Answer 1

AFAIK, the CAL license is just a contract and piece of paper (or electronic paper) that gives you rights. You don't need to add this to SQL Server for it to work. However, the licensing guide says 24 cores for a server+cal license. I don't think that in 2019 (or even prior) you can run > 24 cores on standard.

Answer 2

Hi @Chuck Morris

For detailed information about the license issue, you can call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Or you can go to Volume Licensing Service Center support. Please choose region/language and choose to call or have web.

Best regards,

Cosmog Hong

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Answer 3

Thanks for your quick response, yes you are right on the 50 CAL license, it is never installed (it is a contract), you just keep it on hand to be in compliance with the amount of users connected to the server. On the two "twenty four" core licenses for the 48 core server, yes, they both need to be installed. You install the first 24 core license, and when the evaluation 2022 Standard Server accepts it, then you install the second one (Stacked). Note that the system will not display both, but it should be displaying the last 24 core license you installed. I did have a drama moment in getting the licenses installed, ended up having to right click the CMD (Command Prompt) and selected "Open as Administrator" and inserted this syntax and forced the activation on both licenses: DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula Where the X's are replaced by the license keys. Then pressing enter and it normally works (in my case it did). But I have found out that there are many ducks involved, and if one duckie gets out of line, it will not work, like fat fingering the wrong character, recent hardware change, waking up on the wrong side of the bed, etc. Thanks again for your help.