2008 SQL Licensing Overview Final

8/6/2019 2008 SQL Licensing Overview Final

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SQL Server 2008 Pricing and LicensingUpdated July 2008

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

SQLServer 2008 is available under three licensing models:

Server plus device client access license (CAL).Requires a license for the computer running the

Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for eachclient device.

Server plus user client access license (CAL). Requiresa license for the computer running the Microsoft serverproduct, as well as CALs for each user.

Processor license. Requires a single license for eachCPU in the operating system environment runningSQL Server. This license includes unlimited clientdevice access.

This document explains key licensing considerations forSQLServer 2008 customers.

SQL SERVER2008 SERVERPLUSCAL LICENSING

SQLS

erver 2008 offers separateS

erver licenses (inWorkgroup, Standard and Enterprise editions) inconjunction with per device or per user client accesslicenses (CALs). Server plus CAL licenses are useful tocustomers using SQLServer in non-Web-based scenarios.

Server License. A Server license (for Workgroup,Standard, or Enterprise editions) is required for everyoperating system environment on which that edition ofSQLServer software or any of its components (for example,

Analysis Services) is running.

Device CAL. A SQLServer Device CAL is required inorder for a device (for example, a PC, workstation, terminal,PDA, mobile phone, and so on) to access or use theservices or functionality of Microsoft SQL Server. TheServer plus device CAL model will likely be the more cost-effective choice if there are multiple users per device (forexample, in a call center). Please see multiplexing sectionto ensure every device is licensed properly. Exceptionsinclude communication exclusively between SQLServersand manual data transfer between employees.

UserCAL. A SQLServer User CAL is required in orderfor a user (employee, customer, partner, and so on) toaccess or use the services or functionality of Microsoft SQLServer. The Server plus user CAL model will likely be morecost effective if there are multiple devices per user (forexample, a user who has a desktop PC, laptop, PDA, andso forth).

A CAL is not software; it is a legal document granting adevice or user access to server software. A single device

CAL grants access to multiple servers for one device (CALmust be same version as latest version of any of theservers). A single user CAL grants access to multipleservers for one user.

SQL SERVER2008 PROCESSORLICENSING

Microsoft offers a processor-based licensing model to helpalleviate complexity. Processor licenses can be used forany type of application (not limited to Web-basedscenarios).

Processor License.A ProcessorLicense is required foreach processor installed on each operating systemenvironment running SQLServer or any of its components(for example, Analysis Services). It includes access for anunlimited number of users or devices to connect from either

inside or outside the firewall. Customers do not need topurchase additional client access licenses (CALs) whenlicensed under the per processor model.

Processor licenses are available in Enterprise, Standard,Web and Workgroup editions and offer more simplicity forcertain scenarios.

MULTIPLEXING: USE OF MIDDLEWARE,TRANSACTION SERVERS, AND MULTITIEREDARCHITECTURES

Sometimes organizations develop network scenarios thatuse various forms of hardware and/or software that reduce

the number of devices or users that directly access or usethe software on a particular server, often called multiplexingorpoolinghardware or software. Use of such multiplexingor pooling hardware and/or software does not reducethe number of CALs required to access or use SQLServer software. A CAL is required for each distinct deviceor user that is connected to the multiplexing or poolingsoftware or hardware front end.

Figure 1. Multiplexing. Users / devices that access a SQLserver indirectly require a CAL

This is true no matter how many tiers of hardware orsoftware exist between the SQL Server and the clientdevices that ultimately use its data, services orfunctionality. An exception to this includes the manualtransfer of data from employee to employee. For example,if an employee sends an Excel version of a report toanother employee, the receiving employee does not requirea CAL (as long as the report does not access a SQLServerin some way). An additional exception is communicationexclusively between SQL servers.


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SQLSERVER 2008 PRICING AND LICENSING

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Figure 2. Multiplexing. Manual transfers of reports, thatsubsequently dont access a SQL Server dont requireCALs.

PASSIVESERVERS /FAILOVERSUPPORT

Two or more servers, each running SQLServer, can be

configured such that if one server fails, its processing willbe picked-up, recovered and continued by the other. SQLServer 2008 offers 3 types of failover support:

y Database mirroring is a SQL Server 2008technology for increasing database availability.Database mirroring transfers transaction logrecords directly from one server to another andcan quickly failover to the standby server.

y Failover clustering. Failover clustering is aprocess in which the operating system and SQLServer 2008 work together to provide availabilityin the event of an application failure, hardwarefailure, or operating-system error. Failover

clustering provides hardware redundancy througha configuration in which mission-critical resourcesare transferred from a failing machine to anequally configured server automatically.

y Backup Log-Shipping. Log-shipping increases aSQL Server database's availability byautomatically copying and restoring thedatabase's transaction logs to another databaseon a standby server. Because the standbydatabase receives all changes to the originaldatabase, it's an exact duplicate of the originaldatabaseout of date only by the delay in thecopy-and-load process. You then have the abilityto make the standby server a new primary serverif the original primary server becomes unavailable.

When the original primary server becomesavailable again, you can make it a new standbyservereffectively reversing the servers' roles.

When doing failover support, a server is designated asthe passive server. The purpose of the passive serveris to absorb the data and information held in anotherserver that fails. A passive server does not need alicense, provided that the number of processors in the

passive server is equal or less than those of the activeserver. The passive server can take the duties of theactive server for 30 days. Afterward, it must belicensed accordingly.

Database Mirroring and Failover Clustering will beavailable forStandard and Enterprise editions..

Figure 3. Passive Servers. The passive server does notrequire a license given that no queries are being executedagainst it.

Figure 4. Passive Servers. The passive server requires alicense, given that queries are being run against snapshotreporting.

MULTICORE

Multicore processors, which consist of multiple processingexecution units or cores on one chip, are seen as apromising way to boost computing power. Microsoft hasbeen driving thought leadership in this area by charging thesame amount per processor, regardless of how many coresare in the processor. In contrast, Oracle asks customers tomultiply each core by different factors depending onprocessor type. IBM has a dual policy where customerswith x86 platforms are charged per processor andcustomers on IBMs POWER5-based systems are chargedper core.

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Figure 3. Multicore. In each of these scenarios, a singleprocessor license is required for SQL Server, unlike Oracleand IBM licensing requirements.

VIRTUALIZATIONANDMULTI-INSTANCING

Virtualization is defined broadly as the running of software

on a virtual environment. A virtual environment takesplace when an operating system (OS) is somehowemulated, or does not run directly on the physicalhardware.

When software is virtualized, one or several applicationsand their associated operating systems can run on onephysical server inside their respective virtual environments.One of the benefits of a virtualized scenario is that multipleapplications can run concurrently on a server with isolationat the OS level.

An option to virtualizing software is multi-instancing. In thiscase, multiple copies of an application run concurrently ona single copy of an OS. Multi-instancing for SQLServer

2008 can take place both in a virtual environment or in aphysical environment. While multi-instancing offers arelatively high degree of isolation between copies ofSQL2008, this isolation takes place at the application level(instead of at the OS level).

When SQL Server 2008 runs inside a virtual operatingenvironment, it requires at least one license per virtualoperating environment, except for SQLServer Enterpriseedition. Several copies or instances of SQLServer 2008can run inside a virtual operating environment. These mustbe licensed as follows:

When licensed Server / CAL

Workgroup and Standardeditions now allow you to run anynumber of instances of the server software in one physicalor virtual operating system environmenton the licensedserver at a time. Previously, only the Enterprise edition ofthe Server license allowed multi-instancing. This is a greatincentive for customers to adopt the Server/CAL model.

For Enterprise edition, for each server to which you assigna software license, you may run, at any one time, anynumber of instances of the server software in one physicaland any number of virtual operating system environmentson that server.

When licensed Per Processor

With Workgroup, Web, and Standard editions, for eachserver to which you have assigned the required number ofper processor licenses, you may run, at any one time, anynumber of instances of the server software in physical andvirtual operating system environments on the licensedserver. However, the total number of physical and virtualprocessors used by those operating system environmentscannot exceed the number of software licenses assigned tothat server

For enterprise edition there is an added option: if allphysical processors in a machine have been licensed, thenyou may run unlimited instances ofSQL server 2008 in onephysical and an unlimited number of virtual operatingenvironments on that same machine.

Passive copies / Transferability of VMs

Passive copies of SQL Server 2008 that are on virtualenvironments which are notrunningon a machine do notrequire the purchase of licenses. Copies of SQL Server2008 that are run on a virtual machine, can only betransferred from server to server every 90 days. Runningcopies of the VMs can be moved across licensed serversat any time.

Figure 4. In this example, we have two Virtual OperatingEnvironments. Each contains 3 running instances of SQL WG

or SE. Only one SQL license is required per each VOE, for atotal of 2 SQL licenses

Figure 5. In this example, we have a box with 4 physicalprocessors. On it, two Virtual Operating Environments are runningSQL. In this case, two SQL Processor Licenses are required.

Figure 6. In this example, we have a box with 4 physicalprocessors. On it, five Virtual Operating Environments are runningSQL, each virtually accessing one processor. In this case, fiveprocessor licenses are required for SQL.


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Figure 7. This example shows the extra option available with theenterprise editiononly.Numberofproc licenses required for EE :4 SQL Processor Licenses.

Numberofproc licenses required for Standard, Workgroup: 5SQL Processor licenses

Figure 8. This example shows the extra option available with theenterprise editiononly. Required license using additional rightsfor EE : 1 SQL Server License. Required licensesfor all otherworkgroup and standard:4 SQL Server licenses

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE /COMPONENTS INADDITIONAL SERVERS

The Business Intelligence components for SQL Server2008 include Analysis Services, Reporting Services, andIntegration Services. To use any of these components, the

server on which Business Intelligence is installed musthave a valid SQLServer 2008 license. If these componentsare in a separate server than the main database server,then they require an additional license of each additionalserver where they are installed.

Figure 7. Licensing Servers with running components. In Scenario1, a SQL Server is running with all of its components in one server:only one license is required. In Scenario 2, the database is running

in one server, analysis services in a second one, and reportingservices in a third one. In this case, three server licenses arerequired.

WORKGROUPEDITION

Workgroup edition is the easiest to use and most affordablesolution for smaller departments and growing businesses.ForSQLServer 2008, Workgroup is available in Server + 5CAL bundles, individual CALs, and Per Processor licenses.Workgroup has its own CALs called WorkgroupCALs.Workgroup CALs can only be used with Workgroup edition.

SQL CALs can be used with any edition ofSQLServer2008, including SQLWorkgroup edition.

Figure 8. SQL Workgroup. Workgroup CALs can only be usedagainst a SQL Server Workgroup edition. SQL CALs can be usedagainst any edition.

SQL SERVERCALS

With the exception of Workgroup CALs, all SQLServer2008 CALs can be used against any licensed SQLServer2008server, regardless of the platform. For example, a 32bit SQL CAL can be used against a server running SQLServer Enterprise edition (64 bit). Likewise, a 64 bit SQLCAL can be used against a server licensed for Workgroupedition (32 bit). As previously mentioned, Workgroup CALscan only be used against SQLServer Workgroup edition.

SQL SERVER2008WEB

SQLServer 2008 Web is a low-TCO, scalable andmanageable database option for web hosters and endcustomers looking to deploy publicly facing webapplications and services. Please visit the SQLServer2008 Editions pages for more information.

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SQL SERVER2008EXPRESS

SQLServer 2008 Express edition is the fastest way fordevelopers and enthusiasts to learn, build, and deploysimple data driven applications. Its available as a freedownload at www.microsoft.com/downloads. Please visitthe SQLServer 2008 Editions pages for more information.

SQL SERVER2008 DEVELOPER

SQLServer 2008 Developer edition is a separate productand is used for development and testing purposes only. It isexactly the same as SQLServer 2008 Enterprise editionbut licensed per developer or tester (person). Please visitthe SQLServer 2008 Editions pages for more information.

SQL SERVER2008EVALUATION

SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Evaluation edition is forevaluation purposes only and for up to 180 days of use. Itis downloadable for free or can be ordered on DVD fromthe www.microsoft.com.Please visit the SQLServer 2008Editions pages for more information.

SPLAPROGRAM

SPL A is the only licensing program that allows serviceproviders to offer SQL Server in a hosted environment.Licensing in SPL A is either per hosted processor or perserver access license (SAL). A processor is required foreach processor accessed by end customers in a hostedenvironment, while a SAL is required for each enduser/device accessing the server in a hosted environment.For more information on the SPL A program please go tohttp://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/licensing/default.mspx

ISVPROGRAM

The Microsoft Independent Software Vendor (ISV)Royalty Licensing Program is a software licensing programdesigned for ISVs who incorporate Microsoft software intotheir value-added software business solutions. The ISVRoyalty Licensing program makes it easy for ISV partnersto combine Microsoft technology with their own softwarebusiness application for commercial distribution to theircustomers. It is a one-size-fits-all program that scalesacross partners selling to large, small, or midmarketcustomers. For more information on the ISV Programplease go tohttp://www.microsoft.com/isv/licensing/default.aspx

DOWNGRADERIGHTSFORPREVIOUSVERSIONS

Customers can acquire SQLServer 2008 licenses and runprior versions ofSQLServer per downgrade rights outlinedin the EULAs (license agreements). Licenses can be addedto existing prior version installations with this same method.

UPGRADESAND SOFTWAREASSURANCE

Customers can choose to upgrade their SQL Serverlicenses by purchasing the new product outright, or by

purchasing Software Assurance with the current versionlicenses to guarantee future version upgrades.

On top of new version rights, SA offers spread payments,TechNet Plus, Problem Resolution Support, ExtendedLifecycle Hotfix support, cold backups for DisasterRecovery, corporate error reporting, and TechNet OnlineConcierge chat. For more information on SA please go to:http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/sa/default.ms

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PRICINGAND DISCOUNTING

SQLServer offers highly competitive Estimated RetailPricing (ERP). Further, Microsoft has several options forcustomers making volume purchases to realize significantdiscounts off ERP through volume licensing programs (VL).

FORMOREINFORMATION

For more information, go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/how-to-buy.aspx

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This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFTMAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS

DOCUMENT. Microsoft and Windows are either registeredtrademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in theUnited States and/or other countries.

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2008 SQL Licensing Overview Final