Licensing models can sometimes make database modeling seem trivial. Per processor or per seat? Single core, dual-core, multi-core processors? Multiple instances on one server? Virtualizing servers on a single server? It can get very confusing, very quickly.
I’m regularly asked by a former students, clients, and people in the Forums about licensing for a SQL Server Reporting Services instances. A typical question is: How many SQL Server licenses are required when the Report Server is installed on one server and the back end database is installed on a separate remote server?
Here are a couple of links that help describe the SQL Server licensing models.
And by the way, the answer to the sample question? Each server where a Business Intelligence component is installed requires a valid SQL Server license. So, a remote database deployment scenario where the Report Server is installed on one server and the ReportServer database is installed on a separate server requires two licenses of SQL Server.
Reporting Services LicensingLicensing models can sometimes make database modeling seem trivial. Per processor or per seat? Single core, dual-core, multi-core processors? Multiple instances on one server? Virtualizing servers on a single server? It can get very confusing, very quickly. Recently, I was asked by a former student about licensing for a SQL Server Reporting Services instance. In the proposed scenario, the Report Server would be installed on one server and the back end database would be installed on a separate, remote server. How many licenses of SQL Server are required? In short, each server where a Business Intelligence component is installed requires a valid SQL Server license. So, a remote database deployment scenario where the Report Server is installed on one server and the ReportServer database is installed on a separate server requires two licenses of SQL Server. But don’t take my word for it. Here are a couple of links that will help clarify licensing requirements. Special Licensing Considerations for SQL Server 2005 SQL Server 2008 Pricing and Licensing Cheers and I hope this helps! Joe Print | posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 8:01 AM Post Comment
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# re: Reporting Services Licensing
really, as far as I know every server that runs any service of sql server needs separate licensing… And it is very expensive to have at leat 2 physical processor server for your SSRS…
# re: Reporting Services Licensing
I could use a clarification here. Having any SQL Service run on a separate server makes sense that it would require an additional license. However, I’m under the impression that having the web components run on a different server does NOT constitute a SQL Service and therefore would NOT require a separate license.
Am I mistaken there?
Nick
# re: Reporting Services Licensing
Check this document:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/e/6/1e68f92c-f334-4517-b610-e4dee946ef91/2008%20SQL%20Licensing%20Overview%20final.docx
It seems like if you want to install reporting services web components (the site and the web service) on a different server where SQL Server 2008 is installed then you will need an other license.