Hyper-V licensing with linux guests

J. Wolf 21 Reputation points
2021-06-21T14:23:31.47+00:00

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

Hyper-V
Hyper-V
A Windows technology providing a hypervisor-based virtualization solution enabling customers to consolidate workloads onto a single server.
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  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-06-22T11:57:42.543+00:00

    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--

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  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-06-21T14:27:23.393+00:00

    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--

  2. Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,671 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-06-22T02:57:19.507+00:00

    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.

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