Microsoft SQL Server Licensing Models

In the world of Software Asset Management, the SAM Practitioners and Software Vendors have always been at war. It is a war over squeezing the most money out of customer contracts through shrewd licensing schemes.

In this video, we unveil the worst of the suspects, whose licensing schemes alone make CIO's and IT Asset managers shiver at the thought. That suspect is the ubiquitous Microsoft SQL Server.

Due to the steep learning curve of this products licensing, we've created a playlist to help those defend their company against Microsoft's harsh audits on this expensive and essential product.

Video Agenda:

0:00​ - 1:04​ Intro

1:05​ - 1:05​ Disclaimer

1:45​ - 2:17​ Why SQL Server Licensing is so Complicated

2:18​ - 3:12​ The 2 Types of SQL Licensing Models

3:13​ - 3:40​ Core Based Pricing

3:41​ - 4:06​ What Else Needs Licensing in a SQL Environment

4:07​ - 5:17​ Core Based Licensing Tips

5:37​ - 7:49​ Server + CAL Based Licensing Tips

7:50​ - 8:36​ Where to download our SQL Licensing PDF

8:37​ - 9:01​ Outro  

Thanks for watching this Episode 1 of our SQL Series. Stay tuned for more Software Asset Management Content on the regular!

[SAMexpertTV]

A great one! Thanks for it. I'd not say "Luckily" though about the 2-core packs. "Misleadingly" fits a bit better :)

[Cnt]

I saw many videos but all only saying minimum 4 core license bt no one showed on excel how to calculate more then 4 cores

[billycroacker]

Hahahha the first minute almost made me choke with laughter 😂

[mehtout]

We have a dual processor server with 56 cores both.
We installed windows server 2022 for 56 cores.
When we request a price proposal for sql server 2022 enterprise with SA for 56 cores the bill come with a very high price that the customer reject immediately.
Is there any possibility to license only 24 cores from this server for sql server?

[donirobihardian]

Would you like to share the PDF of SQL Server Licensing? I cannot access the URL, especially for CAL details, the differences between user and devices

[novaracnc]

What about with the dual processors? Should I buy license for both CPU-s and for all cores?

[sdrtyrtyrtyuty]

What if I am running SQL server 2019 on a virtual machine (hyper-v) and only give that VM 4 cores but the host server has 12 cores. Do I only need to license the SQL server for 4 cores? Thanks.

[jackt]

- You were clear and concise.
- Something you said is ambiguous when you described core licenses. You said 4-core is the minimum to use it at all. Two sentences later, you said let's say you want to upgrade your 2-core to 4-core. Wait, you would already have 4-cores.
- It would make very little sense for small businesses with half-a-dozen users to use the core licensing model. 4 cores minimum. $3, 586 per core x 4 = $14, 344 and even then you probably wouldn't want to limit the VM running 2022 Server to 4 cores. Going Server+CAL would cost $899 + ($209 * 6) = $2, 153 plus you could assign 8 cores to this VM and 8 cores to the file server/domain controller.