SQL Server licensing for use with PowerBI

Trisha Dunlap 1 Reputation point
2021-09-23T20:41:08.387+00:00

Hello, I am in the process of building 2 databases on an Azure VM that will be used to source PowerBi datasets. I will be the only one developing the database(s) but we will have several users who will have PowerBi pro as well as some who will only need the free version. I will be developing the datasets using the desktop version of PowerBi and we may have two or three users who will also want to build basic reports from the cloud service directly using the datasets I have put together. I am trying to determine how many licenses I will need for SQL Server with this scenario.

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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  1. CathyJi-MSFT 21,096 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-09-24T01:47:32.593+00:00

    Hi @Trisha Dunlap ,

    There are two SQL server licensing options, Server + CAL or Per Core. Did you mean that you want use SQL Server – Server + CAL Licensing? If I misunderstood, please let me know.
    When licensing SQL Server Standard under the Server + CAL option, customers must assign a license to the physical server hosting any operating system environment (OSE) running SQL Server and acquire a SQL Server CAL for each user or device that accesses the server. The Enterprise edition is only available under the Per Core model.

    Refer to the blog An Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Licensing to get more detail examples.

    If you have further questions about SQL License, I suggest that you can consult professionals in this area. please 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. People there will help you more effectively.
    Hope this could help you.

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