Microsoft SQL Server - license model of SQL Server Datacenter edition

Example

ESX host with 4 dual-core CPUs with hyperthreading (no SQL Server installation).

Currently hosted environments:

• VM1 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled
• VM2 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled
• VM3 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled
• VM4 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – disabled

Formerly hosted environments:

• VM5 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled – moved to another host 30 days ago
• VM6 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled – moved to another host 95 days ago

License requirement:

• Currently there are 3 enabled virtual machines on the host = 3 x (1 CPU / 2 threads) (hyperthreading; for VM rounded up to a whole number) = 3 licenses
• Virtual machine was run on the host 30 days ago = 0 licenses (license mobility)
• Virtual machine was run on the host 95 days ago = 0 licenses (minimum license entitlement has expired)

License requirement total = 3 licenses

Environments hosted additionally later:

• VM7 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled
• VM8 with 1 processor (SQL Server Installation) – enabled

License requirement:

• Currently there are 5 enabled virtual machines on the host = 5 x (1 CPU / 2 threads) (hyperthreading; for VM rounded up to a whole number) = 5 licenses
• Virtual machine was run on the host 30 days ago = 0 licenses (license mobility)
• Virtual machine was run on the host 95 days ago = 0 licenses (minimum license entitlement has expired)

Actual license requirement total = 5 licenses

Limited to maximum number = 4 licenses (number of physical processors)