MECM Licensing Use Rights

Configuration Manager includes rights to use SQL Server technology for its supported components, so a dedicated Configuration Manager database does not automatically require a separately purchased SQL license. Microsoft's licensing FAQ also says SQL Server CALs are not required for that use. However, those rights are restricted: hosting another product's database on the same SQL installation requires appropriate separate licensing. High availability needs a second check because supported architecture and licensing entitlement are different questions. Configuration Manager supports SQL Always On availability groups, but these require Enterprise edition; Standard edition Basic availability groups are not supported for its site database. Do not infer unrestricted Enterprise or HA rights from the general SQL inclusion statement. Identify your intended SQL edition, availability-group or failover-cluster design, and agreement, then have Microsoft or your licensing provider confirm the applicable use rights before purchasing or deploying.