November 25, 2002 at 9:54 am
Ok, I haven't been able to find a clear answer to this anywhere, so I'm hoping someone can help me figure this out. I'm looking into purchasing a copy of SQL Server 2000. I downloaded the trial version, did some development work with it, like the speed, ease of use, installation, etc. I'm probably preaching to the choir.
Anyway, my question is about the CPU licensing. Is it possible to purchase a single CPU license for SQL Server and install it on a dual CPU Win2k Server box? I'm asking because finances don't allow me to purchase two CPU licenses right now. I'll be lucky to afford one.
Can it be configured to only use the one processor or would it just be a license violation and I absolutely must buy two CPU licenses? I don't expect the database traffic to be too heavy for quite some time, so the plan is to purchase one CPU license for the time being, give it a CPU affinity, and then later on, when money permits and database traffic requires it, I'd like to add a second CPU license to utilize the second CPU.
I'm looking for this to essentially be a temporary cost saving maneuver. For now, traffic is light, so I could get away with SQL Server running on a single CPU. I just want to further explore the licensing and installation ramifications of doing this. Can I add a second CPU license later on?
Any help or guidance here would be much appreciated. Thanks.
November 25, 2002 at 10:29 am
No. I asked this question of MS last year for the same reasons. You must license each proc.
Licensing is per physical CPU, however, not logical. The new hyperthreading CPUs appears as 2 to the OS, but you only license one.
Steve Jones
November 25, 2002 at 11:25 am
Well, if it's licensed per physical CPU, could I have a dual motherboard and only put one CPU in and then upgrade it to 2 cpu's at a later date when money allows for the dual CPU license? Would that be legit? Technically, there's only one physical CPU, even though there's space for two. Would that work or will the SQL Server install request the second license code? And if that would work, how do I add in the second CPU/license at a later date?
November 25, 2002 at 6:43 pm
Yes, just because a board supports 2 CPU doesn't mean you have to license for 2 if you only have 1 installed. But you might want to check to see if they hit you with an extre cost for the adding of the CPU.
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