Microsoft licensing how does it work

As Windows Server is the latest edition of Windows Server and almost all of our customers will run on the standard edition, we will explain the licensing on this version. The first thing to understand when purchasing a Windows server license is that the licensing is based on the number of CPU cores in your server and you also need to purchase client access licenses for each user or device that is accessing the server.

This Core-based licensing requires all physical cores in your server to be licensed the number of cores you have in a virtual server is irrelevant. A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor in your server even if it only has 6 Cores and a minimum of 16 core licenses is required for each server that you have even if it only have 1 CPU and 8 Cores.

So what does that all mean? You need at least 16 core licenses no matter what your server actually has, unless you have more than 16 cores, then you need more. Core licenses are sold in packs of two. You must buy a minimum of 8 packs per physical server that you have. The Standard Edition of Windows Server provides rights for up to 2 separate installs, so you can run 2 virtual servers per physical server for each 16 core license that you have. If you wish to license more than 2 Virtual Servers on 1 Physical server ,all Core licenses need to be purchased again.

You also need to purchase the device or user CALs for each device or user connecting to the server. This allows users to remote into the server and receive a remote desktop with access to their business applications from anywhere they have internet access.

To operate a Windows Server as a terminal server, you must also purchase Remote Desktop Licenses for each user that will be connecting to the server. There are 4 main ways that Microsoft SQL server can be licensed. Once again the right licensing options depending on your specific situation. Microsoft Volume Licensing is the answer to licensing various software products to businesses and other organizations. Read on to learn how enterprise-based Microsoft Licensing works and the options available to your business.

This is a licensing service offered by Microsoft to organizations that need to purchase multiple licenses but do not require separate software media or the accompanying documentation with every license. Doing away with the media and documentation and making a bulk purchase lowers the cost per installation.

Microsoft is also flexible on the user rights and the license agreement period depending on the number of users or devices.

In essence, Microsoft Volume Licensing is tailored to each particular organization depending on its niche industry and business characteristics. The same products are licensed differently for small businesses, large firms, government agencies, non-profits and charitable organizations, software vendors, IT services providers, and learning institutions.

There are generally two types of licensing models when it comes to software and IT service purchases. The first is a perpetual license, which is paid upfront in one lump sum. The license period typically runs between one and three years, although the vendor and client may agree on a suitable period.

In addition to the lump sum, the client also pays a monthly or annual maintenance fee to cover ongoing customer support and occasional upgrades. Perpetual licenses are often discounted or tied to other benefits. A subscription or non-perpetual license is renewed monthly or annually. The subscription price includes all maintenance, technical support, and upgrade fees.

Subscription licenses break down the lifetime licensing cost into small manageable chunks spread out across multiple payments. This licensing model is relatively affordable and popular with most enterprises, especially start-ups and small businesses. Microsoft offers both perpetual and subscription licenses. Solution partners Benefit from the business and technology expertise that Microsoft partners can offer to help your organization innovate more quickly.

Find a partner. Direct via the web If you want your organization to subscribe to, activate, provision, and maintain cloud services seamlessly and directly via the web, you can learn more about Microsoft web pricing for the following cloud services:. Office Because many companies upgrade only every other version, the no-cost scenario would be common. Enterprise Agreements: The most encompassing of Microsoft's licensing programs, these are negotiated directly between large companies and Microsoft.

Like Software Assurance, fees are paid annually. Subscriptions: Microsoft also offers a subscription option where Enterprise Agreement participants can pay a single, annual per-desktop fee for their software needs. The number of desktops can be adjusted up or down more easily than with other programs. If canceled, the company doesn't get to keep any of the software.

Other programs, including Software Assurance, offer a perpetual license that doesn't expire.