Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter License Metrics Interpretation Issue:

Question

Number of Hosts esxi = 2. Core per Host 64.
Total cores = 128.
Both hosts are merged into a vmware cluster called "Pippo"
If I have installed 1 or 50 Virtual Machine with Microsoft OS on only 1 of the 2 hosts, the consumed entitlements are = 64 relative to the cores of one of the 2 Hosts.
Is the value correct or is the number of cores consumed 128 due to the fact that the 2 hosts are configured in a vmware cluster even if the second host does not host Microsoft VM?
Thanks for the reply in advance
Claudio

Answer 1

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.

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Answer 2

Thanks for answer.
so if I understand correctly. Also if the hosts are part of a vmware Cluster, consumption is calculated only for the hosts hosting Microsoft vm. Correct ?
Thanks
Claudio