Windows Server 2022 Licensing

Windows Server 2022 Standard Licensing Basics

1. Host Licensing: A Windows Server 2022 Standard license covers:
   • The physical server it is installed on.
   • Licensing for two virtual machines (VMs) running Windows Server Standard or Datacenter.
2. Licensing Additional VMs: Each pair of additional VMs requires licensing the server cores again (doubling the core licenses per pair of VMs).
3. Core Licensing Requirements:
   • You must license all physical cores on the server.
   • The minimum is 16 cores per server and 8 cores per processor.
4. • Physical cores: 2 processors × 16 cores = 32 cores.
   • Planned VMs: 5 virtual machines.

   Licenses You Have:

   1. 1 × WINSVR 2022 STD AddLic 16 Core ROK: Licenses 16 cores.
   2. 2 × WINSVR 2022 STD AddLic 4 Core ROK: Licenses 8 cores.
   3. 1 × Windows Svr Std 2022 64 Bit 1 pk DS P OEI DVD 24 Core:
      • Activated on another server that no longer exists.
      • If the previous server was decommissioned and the license allows transfer (check terms of the OEM license), it can potentially be reused.

   Total Licensed Cores:

   • 16 + 8 = 24 cores from current ROK licenses.
   • +24 cores (if the OEM license is transferable) = 48 total cores.

   VM Licensing:

   • Your current licenses cover one host and four VMs:
     • 32 cores on the physical server (Standard license requirement met).
     • Two VMs covered with the base licenses.
     • Two additional VMs require licensing the server cores again.
   • For five VMs, you’ll need:
     • Core licenses for all 32 physical cores on the server twice (to cover 4 VMs).
     • Licensing cores a third time to support the 5th VM.
   • Check OEM License Transferability:
     • If allowed, the Windows Svr Std 2022 OEI DVD (24 Core) could be reused. Verify with Microsoft or your reseller.
     • If not transferable, exclude this from the total count.
   • Purchase Additional Core Licenses:
     • If OEM license is reusable:
       • You’ll need 32 core licenses to cover the 5th VM.
     • If OEM license is not reusable:
       • You’ll need 64 additional core licenses to support all 5 VMs.
   • Consider Cost of Datacenter Edition:
     • If you anticipate needing more VMs in the future, Windows Server Datacenter Edition might be more cost-effective, as it allows unlimited VMs on the licensed host.