Clarification on Server 2022 Standard vs Datacenter licensing

[danm190]

Here is my situation

1 Physical Server, 1 CPU - 16 core

Want to run four Windows 2022 VM's and two Linux Server

Do I just need to buy Datacenter licensing and use that base product key for the four Windows 2022 VM's?
Or do I buy four (4 core pack) Windows 2022 Standard license? And use the four base license product key for my four VM's?

Thanks!

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Buying a DataCenter license to run only four VMs would be cost prohibitive. Simpler and more cost effective to license all the cores (16) twice for four virtual machines.       

Some general info
- Each host needs to be 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.

[#3]

@danm190 just checking if there's any progress or updates? please don't forget to mark helpful replies.    

[#4]

@Dave Patrick Hello Dave,

So yes, I can see that the Datacenter version would not be cost effective.

So say I buy three Windows 2022 Standard (16 core) versions. I can run SIX Windows VM's and I can use the three Windows 2022 Standard product keys for install on all six Windows Server VM's?

Do I have it correct?

[#5]

Yes, that is correct assuming the host has no more than 16 cores.     

[#6]

Nope... just 16 cores... I understand I would need more licenses if I added a second CPU.

Thanks for the clarification!

[#7]

You're quite welcome.