Microsoft SQL Server Licensing and Additional Server

Summary: This article summarizes the options available for licensing Microsoft SQL Server Standard when purchased with a Dell PowerEdge Server. It also details the purpose of the "Microsoft SQL Server Standard, OEM, Additional Server" SKU, also available at the time of purchase. ...

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Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard Licensing

When buying at Dell.com under Microsoft SQL Server, there are three sections: Core, user, and device:
 

Three main licensing options when buying at Dell.com


This is because recent versions of Microsoft SQL Server Standard have two different licensing options listed below:

Server + CAL licensing model:

With this model, you install a Microsoft SQL Server license on the server and you do not have to worry about the number of CPU cores present on that server. However, in addition to that server license, you must purchase a Client Access License (CAL) for each user or device that connects to the SQL Server.

The image below shows the SKUs available that include the Server license plus 5 per user or per device CALs:
 

Core licensing model

Under Client Access Licenses, there is a separate SKU to order more SQL Server CALs in packs of 5:

Further SQL user CALs

Core Licensing Model:

With this option, You must purchase the right number of SQL core licenses to cover all the cores in the server. However, you do not require purchasing SQL Server CALs for users or devices - you get unlimited access for internal and external users.

The image below shows the SKUs available that include a base SQL Server license to cover four cores:
 

SQL core licenses

Under Client Access Licenses, select further packs of 2 SQL core licenses:
 
Further SQL core licenses
 
For both licensing models, a server ordered with SQL Server properly licensed ships with a product key for use during installation or activation of the SQL server. This key is different than the Windows Server Product key, and it may be on its own COA sticker. 

SQL server itself does not enforce license compliance by refusing connections based on the number SQL CALs or the number of per-core licenses available. Instead, compliance is enforced through licensing audits conducted by Microsoft.
 

Microsoft SQL Server Standard, OEM, Additional Server

SQL Additional Server SKU

This product SKU is sometimes selected thinking that it is a full version of SQL Server Standard at a lower price. It is not.

What this item does, is allows you to license an additional instance of SQL on a server that already has a licensed SQL server installation.

An SQL Server instance can be thought of as a unique installation or copy of Microsoft SQL Server that runs as a separate and independent service within Windows.
 
SQL Instances
 
  • The "Additional Server" SKU requires a "primary" default instance license (with its product key).
  • The "Additional Server" SKU does not come with a product key and cannot be activated by itself.
A customer that purchases the SQL Additional Server SKU without first acquiring the primary instance license, must get in touch with Sales or Customer Care to order the primary server instance and return the Additional Server SKU if they discover it is not required. 

Additional Information

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Affected Products

Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Article Properties
Article Number: 000224610
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 01 Jan 2025
Version:  3
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