Bottom Line
Two weeks ago I explored Microsoft’s expansion of some mobilization/virtualization rights to the SQL Server Standard edition. Some have expressed some confusion over the specific rights extended across each of the SQL Server editions. Thus, this week I have provided a quick reference guide that can save time in understanding the mobilization/virtualization rights provided to each edition of SQL Server for versions 2012 and 2008 R2.
Background
Presently, Microsoft provides the following three types of rights that enhance virtualization:
· License Mobility Within Server Farms
· License Mobility through Software Assurance
· Unlimited Virtualization
The following is an explanation of each of the three types of virtualization benefits followed by the chart that explains which rights are presently extended to the 2012 and 2008 R2 editions of each the SQL Servers.
License Mobility within Server Farms
Customers have the right to move SQL Server licenses from server to server as needed within a Server Farm without any waiting period between moves. A Server Farm consists of (one or) two data centers within four times zones of each other or within the European Union (EU) and/or European Free Trade Association (EFTA). (Refer to blog post April 29, 2012 for the background leading up to this right.)
License Mobility through Software Assurance
This provides the owner the right to move specified on-premise server licenses that are covered by Software Assurance (SA) to the Microsoft Azure cloud service or a virtual machine at a Microsoft-qualified third party hosting facility. In order to qualify for this right, the customer must maintain SA on the license and not move the license away from the third party sooner than 90 days from assignment of the license to the third party. The owner may use on-premise Client Access Licenses (CAL) to access the off-premise server as long as the CALs are also covered by SA. (Refer to blog post April 29, 2012 for the background leading up to this right.)
Unlimited Virtualization
With the Unlimited Virtualization right, if a customer has all of the physical processors (or have fully licensed the cores) on a server licensed and covered by SA, the customer may run the server software in an unlimited number of operating system environments on that server.
No comments:
Post a Comment