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SQL Server developer edition in test enviroment and database refresh

Tuomas Keskitalo 1 Reputation point
2022-02-25T16:09:28.207+00:00

SQL Server Developer Edition can be used in a test environment. We have read the licensing document https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/6/0/66078040-86d8-4f6e-b0c5-e9919bbcb537/SQL%20Server%202019%20Licensing%20guide.pdf

The document on page 36 states that data from the test is not allowed move to production. It's allowed to import a production backup and use this for testing? Data is subjected to GDPR cleaning and data masking. We would need data corresponding to the production base for testing. No data is exported from the test to production.

Or do we need a license because we need a production backup for the test environment data refresh?

If, on the other hand, we generated the data ourselves, then we would not need a license either, but we could use Microsoft SQL Server Developer Edition.

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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. Erland Sommarskog 106K Reputation points MVP
    2022-02-25T23:06:25+00:00

    Generally, for authoritative answers on licensing you need to contact your local Microsoft representative. This is a technical forum, an we techies are poor at legal stuff.

    But my general understanding that you can use Developer Edition for the kind of testing you are talking about. Or, well, I assume that you mean testing correctness and performance of the application.

    If users would be using the database to test things the later plan to do in production, my personal take is that this would be production as well, and Developer Edition would be OK.

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  2. CathyJi-MSFT 21,121 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2022-02-28T03:16:37.9+00:00

    Hi @Tuomas Keskitalo ，

    > It's allowed to import a production backup and use this for testing?

    Yes, you can.

    >Or do we need a license because we need a production backup for the test environment data refresh?

    No, developer edition is enough.

    When you install SQL Server Developer Edition, the license terms are copied to a location like:
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\License Terms\SQLServer2019_License_DEV_1033.rtf

    You should read the license and apply it to your scenario.
    The license states, in relevant part:

    1. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
      a. General. You may install and use copies of the software on any device, including third party shared devices, to design, develop, test and demonstrate your programs. You may not use the software in a production environment.
      b. Demonstration. Any person that has access to your internal network may install and use copies of the software to demonstrate use of your programs with the software. Those copies may not be used for any other purpose.
      c. User Testing. Your end users may access the software to perform acceptance tests on your programs.

    By the way, this is SQL server technical forum, for License issue, 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.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    1 person found this answer helpful.