Forum Discussion

narayandas4one's avatar
narayandas4one
Copper Contributor
Dec 16, 2025

Dear Simone_Termine​ 

Thank you for your detailed response. Your explanation helped clarify several concepts; however, a few points remain uncertain, and I would appreciate further guidance:

  1. Server ML vs. System Center Standard License
    • Is Server ML different from the System Center Standard License:
      • How many System Center Licenses are required to deploy four Management Servers on VMs (two VMs per host)?
      • Additionally, how many Server ML (Managed VMs) would be required to cover 120 Managed Virtual Machines (each with 8 cores)?
    • If Server ML is not different:
      • Does this mean I only need to purchase 2 Management Licenses (covering four VMs) plus 60 additional Standard licenses again to cover 120 Virtual Machines?
      • In this case, are the 60 additional licenses provided as paper licenses, license keys, or in another format?
  2. Nature of Server ML
    • Could you confirm whether Server ML is considered a paper license or something else?
  3. Simplified Calculation Request
    • In straightforward terms, could you please calculate the required number of:
      • System Center Licenses (Management Licenses) for deploying four servers as System Center components (MECM, SCVMM, DPM, etc.), with each host dedicated to two components.
      • Server ML licenses required to manage 120 Virtual Machines.

Your clarification on these points will help us finalize our licensing requirements with. About CML and SA I am clear now.

 

Regards

Narayan Das

mertefekanlikilic's avatar
mertefekanlikilic
MCT
Dec 20, 2025

Hi narayandas4one​ 

To keep it simple, below is a straightforward example calculation that should address your question at a practical level.

Assumptions

  • System Center 2022 Standard
  • All VMs have 8 cores
  • Core-based licensing (1 license per 2 cores)

System Center Components (4 Management Server VMs)

  • 4 VMs × 8 cores
  • 8 ÷ 2 = 4 licenses per VM

Required licenses:
4 × 4 = 16 System Center Standard

Managed Workloads (120 Virtual Machines)

  • 120 VMs × 8 cores
  • 8 ÷ 2 = 4 licenses per VM

Required licenses:
120 × 4 = 480 System Center Standard (Server ML)

Summary

Management Servers: 16 Standard
120 Managed VMs: 480 Standard
Total: 496 System Center Standard licenses

Note: “Server ML” is not a separate product; it refers to the System Center Standard license.

This calculation follows Microsoft’s published licensing rules; for final confirmation in your specific agreement, it’s still best to check with a Microsoft licensing partner.