Windows Server
The Windows Server License covers one physical machine plus one virtual machine created on the same physical machine (e.g. Hyper-V with a virtual Windows machine).
For single instances in the cloud environment, Windows Server must be purchased based on physical cores (number of cores of the physical processors of the Server, with a minimum of 8 cores per physical processor) or virtual server (with a minimum of 8 cores).
In cluster systems, Windows Server licenses must be purchased based on the physical cores of the Server (number of the core of the physical processors of the server) and on the number of physical servers that make up the cluster.
For example, if the cluster consists of 3 physical dedicated Servers (configured in high reliability) with a single 8 core CPU per server, to cover a single VM (Windows Virtual machine created on your cluster), it will be necessary for you to buy 3 Windows Server licenses form 8 cores.
Windows Server Datacenter Edition
The Windows Server Datacenter Edition license covers one physical machine (physical host) plus an unlimited number of virtual machines created on the same physical machine.
In the case of a single physical server, the licenses must be purchased based on the physical cores of the server (number of cores of the physical processors of the server, with a minimum of 8 cores per physical processor).
In the cluster systems, the licenses must be purchased based on the physical cores of the server (number of cores of the physical processors of the server, with a minimum of 8 cores per physical processor) and the number of Physical Servers that make up the cluster.
For example, if the cluster is composed of 3 Physical Dedicated Servers (configured in high reliability) with a single 8 core CPU per Server, it will be necessary to purchase 3 8 Core Windows Server Data Center licenses, to correctly license all the VMs ( Windows virtual machines created on your cluster) present.
Microsoft SQL Server
The Microsoft SQL Server licenses must be purchased based on the physical cores of the server (number of cores of the physical processors of the server, with a minimum of 4 cores per physical processor) or the Virtual core of the VM.
In the cloud environment, the Microsoft SQL Server licenses must be purchased based on the virtual cores of the VM on which the software is installed.
Licensing Models
Server licenses can be issued:
- Per processor – Processor License (PL)
The processors of the physical machine or the Virtual OSE are licensed
Each PL license allows an unlimited number of users to access the installed software
- Per Core – Core License (CL)
The physical or Virtual OSE cores are licensed
Each CL license allows an unlimited number of users to access the installed software
The SPLA contract – Service Provider License Agreement – allows licensed IT services companies to license Microsoft products to provide them as a service to their customers.
The license acquired in SPLA has the coverage of Software Assurance (SA) and therefore allows you to always use the latest version of Microsoft software to provide services.
With the SPLA licenses, it is possible to downgrade to the latest software version supported by Microsoft and enjoy a 60-day trial period that allows you to previously configure and test your systems.
The SPLA is a licensing program that does not involve any initial investments but only a monthly usage fee. Price changes (if any) occur annually in January.