Windows Server Licensing - Do they have to be on the same physical server?

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Paul1977

4438 posts

Uber Geek

#288610 12-Jul-2021 11:36

As I understand it, a Windows Server Standard licence lets you install one physical instance, and two virtual instances. Do the VMs have to run on the host that is using the same licence?

E.g. Could I install it once on a physical box, and then also deploy two VMs on an entirely separate VMware host using just the one license?

Thanks

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Beccara

1441 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2742925 12-Jul-2021 11:43

Same box, the license is for hyper-v basically. Here's a break down of 2019:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/editions-comparison-19

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Paul1977

4438 posts

Uber Geek

#2742946 12-Jul-2021 11:59

Beccara:

Same box, the license is for hyper-v basically. Here's a break down of 2019:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/editions-comparison-19

Maybe I'm missing it, but where does it say it has to be on the same box?

All I'm seeing is "2 virtual machines, plus one Hyper-V host per license", but can't see anything stating the guests need to run on that host.

EDIT: Oh right, so you're actually licensing the physicals cores of any given host. So even on VMware you'd be licensing the VMware host, which then gives you the right to install the VMs. Was hoping there might have been a loop hole that would save me from purchasing more licenses. Oh well.

Kraven

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2742958 12-Jul-2021 12:19

Licenses are purchased for the physical server. You are allowed to run 2 VMs on that licensed host.

You cannot license one physical host and run the VMs on another, unless you purchase additional licenses for that host also.

If you want to run more than 2 VMs on a host, then you purchase additional physical server licenses, which each allow you to run an additional 2 VMs. So 3 VMs is the same licensing as running 4 VMs. This only applies to Standard, Datacenter allows you to run unlimited VMs on the licensed host without purchasing additional licenses for that host.

Also:

All physical cores in the Server must be licensed
A minimum of 8 cores must be licensed for each processor
A minimum of 16 cores must be licensed for each Server

and don't forget about CALs :)