HYPER-V (Windows Server 2022 Standard) VM limits

lra 81 Reputation points
2022-09-07T12:57:42.037+00:00

Hello,

Currently I must perform a WS2022 Standard installation and enable the HYPER-V role. on a server, which will not be part of a cluster.

The client has another hypervisor, where I will perform a conversion to Hyper-v VHDX format. It has a total of 6 VMs.

I was reviewing that the limitation in HYPER-V with WS2022 Standard is that it only allows you to create two virtual machines with the licensed host.

As WS2022 has 180 days of free license, I could do the migration of the 6 virtual machines without problems?.

When the 180 days expire, of those 6 VMs, only two virtual servers will remain active, and the other 4 virtual servers are shut down?

Would it be advisable to tell the client to obtain a Datacenter license instead?

Any suggestion for this case?

Thanks.

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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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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4 answers

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  1. Dave Patrick 342.1K Reputation points MVP
    2022-09-07T13:05:42.237+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.

    What you proposed to do above should be fine to do. You could install a DataCenter trial if needed.

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

  2. lra 81 Reputation points
    2022-09-07T13:31:14.36+00:00

    Hello DSPatrick,

    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

    Regarding this point, it means that I can have more than two VMs, as long as the server cores are licensed.?

    In this case the physical server has 2 processors, with 16 cores each socket, 32 cores in total.

    Can I continue under the standard environment or should I change to Datacenter licensing?

  3. Limitless Technology 37,611 Reputation points
    2022-09-08T07:44:47.867+00:00

    Hello there,

    Obtain Datacenter license is based on the size of your organization as well as virtualization and data center requirements.

    Windows Server 2022 Standard is intended for lightly virtualized environments, and it includes rights for 2 VMs and unlimited containers. If you want to run additional VMs, then you will need to purchase additional licenses.

    Each Windows Server Datacenter and Standard edition server requires a minimum of a single base license which covers 16 core licenses. If you upgrade your system by purchasing additional CPUs or cores, then you must also purchase additional licenses to cover those upgrades.

    Datacenter edition is ideal for highly virtualized and software-defined datacenter environments. Datacenter edition is licensed under the Per Core/CAL* license model and requires a Windows Server CAL for access to the server.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer–

  4. Eric Siron 911 Reputation points MVP
    2023-01-07T06:09:38.507+00:00

    First, find out how many Windows Server Standard license packs you need to cover the host. That depends on your core count. That amount licenses you for two VMs. Then, double again that license purchase. Every time you meet the minimum number of Standard licenses, you get another two virtualization rights for Windows Server guests. So, the minimum gets you the first two, the second purchase of the same amount allows for VMs 3 and 4, and the third purchase of the same amount allows for VMs 5 and 6. Do not recommend a Datacenter license unless the customer reaches the number of desired Windows Server guest VMs that pushes the total cost of Standard licenses past the base cost for Datacenter licensing. I have not purchased retail licenses in about a decade but the "magic" number used to be 11 virtual machines. Check with whatever reseller you get your licenses from.

    A more thorough discussion here: https://www.altaro.com/hyper-v/windows-server-standard-edition/