Are you unsure whether your Microsoft SQL Server fleet is licensed optimally?
Microsoft SQL Server licensing can get a little confusing. There are different models, editions, and versions to sort through, off of which vary in availability and price. The amount and type of licenses you need to purchase depends on how you’re using the server, and how it’s set up.
It can get overwhelming!
You want the right one for your application, so we’re here to help you understand it all.
In this guide, we’ll show you the 2017 licensing models, the different editions (with cost comparisons) and if you need software assurance.
A Microsoft SQL Server License is needed to run a Microsoft SQL Server. The newest version of the licenses is 2017, but you can get a preview of the 2019 version.
We’ll take you through the 2017 version of the licenses.
Microsoft SQL Server Licensing Models
There are two main models for licensing. Read about each one to determine which is right for your situation.
If you’re using a SQL Server for a public website, for example, where you can’t really count the number of users, you’ll need to license per core.
If you have an internal application and you know the exact number of users that will access it, the Server + CAL will probably be a better fit. A Client Access License (CAL) is required for every person or device.
So if you have 100 users but only 10 accesses the application at one time, you need to purchase 100 CALs.
SERVER + CAL
This option licenses the server running SQL, as well as the individual users and/or devices of that server. This can potentially save costs because you can choose to purchase only the number of licenses you need.
It’s worth noting that this license model allows any number of instances to run at the same time on one server, but additional servers require additional server licenses.
Users or devices can only access the licensed server if they hold a CAL for the same version of the server or newer. For example, a version 2017 CAL can access a 2016 SQL Server (or older).
Users with a CAL can access any number of SQL servers and applications on any number of devices they use, wheras device CALs are assigned to each individual device. To determine weather to license with user CALs or Device CALs, a simple tip is to simply go with whatever you have less of. For example, if you have 500 users that each access the application via their PC, Phone, and a tablet (multiple devices per user) you’ll want to license each user so you don’t have to think about each individual device. On the other hand, if you have workers who share devices, lets say shift workers who use the same machine as someone in a previous shift, you actually have more users than you do devices, so you can just license the devices themselves.
PER CORE
This option of licenses gives you a precise measure of power. You are allowed an unlimited number of users and/or devices accessing the application without a CAL, so long as you license the underlying horsepower of the server.
All cores that are allocated to SQL Server need a core license, with a minimum of 4 core licenses per virtual or physical processor.
With core based licensing, you have two options:
- License the individual virtual machine. There is a minimum of 4 core licenses that need to be allocated to a single virtual machine. You will buy a core license per virtual core.
- License the physical machine for unlimited virtualization. If you’re heavily utilizing SQL in a virtual environment, you may want to license your physical host servers with SQL enterprise. Buying Core Enterprise with software assurance licenses for a hardware machine, allows you the right to run as many OSE’s with SQL on that host as the hardware will allow.
Microsoft SQL Server License Editions and Ballpark Costs
It’s all well and good to know the different licensing models, but at the end of the day, we just want to run our IT department as efficiently as possible. To give a bit of context around the options, we’ll lay them out here and give you an idea of the costs associated with each.
Standard – Per Core
Price: $3,717
Standard is one of the highest licenses you can receive under Enterprise. It’s operated on the Per core licensing model and is available through volume licensing and hosting.
This is for teams wanting fully-featured database capabilities for mid-tier applications.
Standard – Server + CAL
Price: $900
This is one of the cheaper licenses you can receive under Enterprise. It’s operated on the Server + CAL Per core licensing model and is available through volume licensing, retail FPP, and hosting.
This is for teams wanting fully-featured database capabilities for mid-tier applications.
Developer
Price: Free
The Developer license is a full-featured SQL Server that allows developers to build and test on a server. It’s operated on a per-user basis and is available through the Microsoft website.
This is only to be used for development purposes, and a “developer license” does not permit any application to actually be run in any sort of means of production or business use.
Web
Price: Depends on your hosting company
The Web license is for public websites and is primarily used by third-party hosting companies.
Express
Price: Free
Express is the entry-level license used as a learning tool. Users can build applications up to 10 GB. It is available for download on the Microsoft website.
Enterprise
Price: about $14,000
Enterprise is the highest license you can receive. It’s operated on the Per core licensing model and is available through volume licensing and through hosting providers.
This is for applications needing the highest level of performance and security.
Do You Need to Purchase SQL Server with SA?
Software Assurance (SA) is a program that gives you tools and services to help you deploy and manage your Microsoft products.
This helps save time and money by finding the right tools and support when needed. Software Assurance provides access to around-the-clock support and training to help your team improve their skills.
Other benefits include next version rights, License Mobility, Fail-Over servers, unlimited virtualization, Machine Learning Server, and Power BI Report Server.
Software Assurance (SA) is only available through the Standard and Enterprise editions. Enterprise receives all the above benefits, while Standard only receives the next version rights, License Mobility, and Fail-Over servers.
Do you need SA? While you are not required to purchase SA with your license, SA may be a good investment for mission critical systems. Having SA can save you a lot of time and money if you ever get stuck and need support fast, and can be required depending on your virtualization configuration.
If you are interested in an evaluation of how to license your particular SQL estate, consider hiring Look Licensing to review your environment!
The Right License for Your Application
There are a lot of options when it comes to obtaining a license for SQL Server. While you may have acquired a license of one type or another when you first installed SQL, your environment, and licensing requirements may have changed over time.
As a general rule, Per Core is needed when you have a public-facing application and cannot determine the number of users that will be accessing the application.
Server + CAL licenses, however, can save you money because you can purchase only what you need.
Take a look at your set up and apply the notes from this article, and a clear option should present itself. If you just don’t have time to dive into your SQL licensing right now, you can always hire Look Licensing!
