nal4236 (12/3/2016)
SQL Enterprise licenses are only sold in the 2-core "pack", essentially what I'm referring to as a "single SQL Enterprise license" since you do not have the option to buy anything smaller.
Yup, I'm well aware of that.
I was clarifying the terminology for the OP and others reading this who aren't as clued up on licencing, since saying "for a 16-core server you'll need a total of 8 licenses." could easily lead someone to conclude that they need a total of 8 licenses, and since licenses are sold in packs of two, they go any buy 4 packs, since "one SQL Enterprise license = 2 cores"
sayedkhalid: To summarise, you have a 16 core server, so you need to buy 16 licenses. All visible cores must be licensed. Licenses are sold in packs of two, hence you need to buy 8 license pack (each containing two core licenses). Is that any clearer?
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability