Forum Discussion
Server 2012 / 2019 licencing
Only the host is licensed.
- A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses is required for each server.
- Core licenses are sold in packs of two.
- Standard Edition provides rights for up to 2 Operating System Environments or Windows Servers containers with Hyper-V isolation when all physical cores in the server are licensed. For each additional 1 or 2 VMs, all the physical cores in the server must be licensed again.
- DataCenter Edition provides rights for unlimited Operating System Environments or Windows Servers containers with Hyper-V isolation when all physical cores in the server are licensed.
If the host were DataCenter edition then AVMA keys could be used.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/vm-activation-19
Since your situation is not covered here, there may be no advantage to changing the host operating system. I'd suggest discussing your option with your reseller's trained licensing specialist or ask microsoft directly.
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx
Dave PatrickNot quite sure you've understood my question here. I'm fully aware of how Server 2019 is licenced. What i'm after finding out is (i'll word it differently) if I export a VM out of a Server 2012 licenced HyperV physical server, import it into a 2019 HyperV physical server, is the Server 2012 licence still legal / valid?
Cheers
No they would not since only the host is licensed. A Standard Server 2019 product key can only be used to activate a Standard Server 2019 instance.
Dave PatrickOk, that makes sense...Which leads me on too...What If I purchased a Server 2019 Open Licence, rather than the Reseller Option Kit with hardware, that should then provide me with downgrade rights and then the Server 2012's could be licenced via downgrade rights?
