SQL Server 2012 Licensing Question

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SQL Server 2012 Licensing Question

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skosk

Posted Wednesday, February 13, 2013 3:40 AM

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Hello - I'm hoping somebody can assist with a licensing question...

SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition with Server + CAL licensing is limited to a maximum of 16 cores.

If it was installed on a server with 20 cores and SQL was maxed out - would it use 100% CPU of 16 cores or would it run over more than 16 cores but with less than 100% CPU on each (to the equivalent of using 100% of 16 cores)?

Also, would the licence cost still be based on 16 cores or would it be charged for all 20 cores even though only 16 can be fully utilised by SQL?

Many thanks

Gavin.

Post #1419372

anthony.green

Posted Thursday, February 14, 2013 1:50 AM

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I thought the limit was 20 cores, not 16.

But if SQL can see 20 cores, but only use 16, you still need to licenses all 20 cores as it is what the server sees what needs to be licensed, not what it is using.

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Grant Fritchey

Posted Thursday, February 14, 2013 6:04 AM

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Always, always, always, contact Microsoft directly for licensing questions. It's a constantly shifting target. Plus you can negotiate deals. There's just no way a random stranger, even ones as informed as the people on this discussion group, can give you better information than what you're going to get from Microsoft. Not for licensing.

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Post #1420016

thisted

Posted Friday, February 22, 2013 7:38 AM

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My Understanding was the limit is 20 cores. You also need to install the specific version of SQL 2012 Enterprise that still allows you to be under the Server + CAL agreement.

IF you are running that version, AND you have more than 20 cores, I believe SQL will ignore the additional cores entirely, they will not be utilized at all.

Post #1423063

skosk

Posted Monday, February 25, 2013 4:37 AM

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Many thanks for the information/confirmation and point taken, I will contact Microsoft directly regarding the license question. Smile

Post #1423538

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