Forum Discussion

Copper Contributor

Jan 17, 2020

Windows Server virtualized on Linux (licencing)

Hello, We plan virtualizing Windows Server 2019 via Proxmox solution (Already used to virtualize Windows 2008) Not sure about licencing: should I just buy a licence for the 32 CPU cores for e...

Dave Patrick

MVP

Jan 17, 2020

Only the host is licensed. The licensing is the same regardless of the host hypervisor being used.

https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/C/E/7CED6910-C7B2-4196-8C55-208EE0B427E2/Windows_Server_2019_licensing_datasheet_EN_US.pdf

gnumdk
Copper Contributor
Jan 18, 2020
Dave PatrickSo I need to buy a Microsoft Server Licence for my Linux server? Is that a joke?
- HotCakeX
  MVP
  Jan 18, 2020
  gnumdk
  Spoiler
  gnumdk wrote:
  So I need to buy a Microsoft Server Licence for my Linux server? Is that a joke?
  I think it would be more cost efficient for you to host your VM on Microsoft Azure.
  they do exactly that.
  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/virtual-machines/
- Dave Patrick
  MVP
  Jan 18, 2020
  Correct, its no joke. In order to install and run Windows Server 2019 a valid product key and activation are required.
  - gnumdk
    Copper Contributor
    Jan 18, 2020
    Ok for the Windows Server but my licence manager at work told me I need licences for the Linux server too:
    - I need to pay licence for the virtual platform (even if it's a Linux one)
    - I need to pay licence for the Windows server
    Is he right?