Hyper-V licensing with linux guests

Question

Hi there,

we are using a Hyper-V on a windows server 2019 standard license.
Do we need to license linux VMs if we want to host some of them on our Hyper-V?
All windows guests are correctly covered with licenses but we do not know if we need additional licenses for linux containers?

Best regards
J. Wolf

Answer 1

What else do you need to know?

• 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.
• linux licensing is not controlled by microsoft I'd check the EULA that comes with your product.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

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.

https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/C/E/7CED6910-C7B2-4196-8C55-208EE0B427E2/Windows_Server_2019_licensing_datasheet_EN_US.pdf

For the linux guests I'd look for an EULA from the download source.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 3

Hi,

Generally, you can use VMs running Linux-based OSs without purchasing licenses.

For your reference:
https://subscription.packtpub.com/book/virtualization_and_cloud/9781784399863/3/ch03lvl1sec24/hyper-v-licensing-with-linux-vms
https://www.nakivo.com/blog/understanding-hyper-v-vm-licensing-on-windows-server-2016-and-hyper-v-server-2016/
https://www.vembu.com/blog/windows-server-hyper-v-licensing-considerations/

But for double confirmation, we suggest that you could contact the Microsoft licensing specialist for more detailed information.
Please use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/worldwide) to find contact information in your locations. 

Thanks,

---

If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it. Thanks.

Answer 4

Elden Christensen, the Principal PM Manager at Microsoft for Windows Server, confirms here that provided you have at least a Windows Server Standard license, you can run as many Linux VMs as you want.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windowsserverinsiders/hyper-v-server-2022/2652790/replies/4342015