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SQL Server licensing - server + user cal vs processor

Answered SQL Server licensing - server + user cal vs processor

  • Friday, May 25, 2012 11:26 AM
     
     
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    Hi,

    I need to know the max number of user cals over it is better to by the license to processor (for SQL Server 2008 R2-2012).

    Thanks

     

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  • Friday, May 25, 2012 11:33 AM
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    Hi,

    I need to know the max number of user cals over it is better to by the license to processor (for SQL Server 2008 R2-2012).

    Thanks

    It all depends on your pricing agreement with Microsoft, or your software licensing vendor that you purchase the licenses from.  You would be best served by contacting Microsoft licensing directly for questions like this:

    http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/get-sql-server/how-to-buy.aspx

    specifically because the licensing rules in 2012 have changed and it is no longer licensed per processor socket by per core.  An example of how you would work this out is in the 2008 Licensing Guide on pages 16-20:

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/F/8/6F84A9FE-1E5C-44CC-87BB-C236BFCBA4DF/SQLServer2008_LicensingGuide.pdf

    I've never paid the prices that are listed in that guide for any of my servers under volume licensing or software assurance, so I wouldn't base my calculations on the specific numbers, just use the same principal that they show there.

    Jonathan Kehayias | Principal Consultant, SQLSkills.com
    SQL Server MVP | Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
    Author of Troubleshooting SQL Server: A Guide for Accidental DBAs
    Feel free to contact me through My Blog or Twitter. Become a SQLskills Insider!
    Please click the Mark as Answer button if a post solves your problem!


     
  • Friday, May 25, 2012 11:41 AM
     
     
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    Ok, Jonathan, I need to know an approximate number and not the right one.

    Thanks

     
  • Friday, May 25, 2012 11:56 AM
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    Ok, Jonathan, I need to know an approximate number and not the right one.

    Thanks

    Go download the guide in my last reply and do the math.

    Jonathan Kehayias | Principal Consultant, SQLSkills.com
    SQL Server MVP | Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
    Author of Troubleshooting SQL Server: A Guide for Accidental DBAs
    Feel free to contact me through My Blog or Twitter. Become a SQLskills Insider!
    Please click the Mark as Answer button if a post solves your problem!

     
  • Friday, May 25, 2012 12:27 PM
     
     
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    Hi, I already know this paper, but any number of user cal is reported or it is possible to calculate.

    Thanks

     
  • Friday, May 25, 2012 12:36 PM
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    CAL's are based on number of clients that will access the SQL Server, or number of devices that will access it.  If you have a business with 300 employees and they all use an application that would access the SQL Server you need 300 CAL's.  If the SQL Server hosts a database that is on the internet or web, you can't use CAL's you have to license per socket (or core in 2012).  You have to figure out how many CAL's you need for your business needs, and then do the math with the Server + CAL license costs versus the per socket (or core in 2012) license costs to find your own break even point.  The more servers you have, the more Server + CAL can make sense and save you money because you buy the CAL once for the environment, not per server.  Again, your best bet would be contacting licensing directly, it is a  free call, and working out the best thing for your environment.  If you aren't in the US, there are local licensing offices worldwide to help you with such things.

    Jonathan Kehayias | Principal Consultant, SQLSkills.com
    SQL Server MVP | Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
    Author of Troubleshooting SQL Server: A Guide for Accidental DBAs
    Feel free to contact me through My Blog or Twitter. Become a SQLskills Insider!
    Please click the Mark as Answer button if a post solves your problem!