Windows Server 2012/2012r2 Physical and virtual machine licensing instructions

New mode with dual processor licensing, Windows server 2012/2012 R2 In this article, we will consider the licensing characteristics of the next-generation server operating system family. In addition, we will describe the rules and licenses that are used by virtual machines as support for virtual machine migrations as guest operating systems and hypervisors (through vmotion, live migration, etc.).

The licensing model for Windows Server 2012 has been radically changed and what is more important becomes easier. Now, it satisfies the modern trend of widespread use of virtualization technology.

1.Windows Server R2

There are two basic versions of Windows Server R2: Superscript?? and data centers. They are almost identical in their respective features except the license to run the virtual machine. This means that the version you choose depends on the virtual environment and not on the availability of the features you need.

A. License in Windows Server R2 Standard Edition allows only two virtual machines to run (these VMS cannot be activated with AVMA-automatic virtual machine activation)
B. In a Windows Server R2 datacenter with that license on a physical host, the number of virtual machines that can be run is unrestricted (these virtual machines can be easily activated by using AVMA-automatic virtual machine activation).
In fact, choose the version in Windows Server R2 when you need to decide if you need virtualization.

Attention. We do not consider the Essentials and foundation versions as they are designed for small businesses. These operating systems have some specific limitations and no rights to virtualization. It should be noted that the Web server publication has been completely eliminated.

2.Windows Server R2 Processor License

The next feature in Windows Server R2 licensing-a license allows an operating system to run on a single-processor or dual-processor server. That is, a license is located at a maximum of two processors (sockets) (the kernel is not a processor). Cannot be split into two single-processor servers (in this case, you must purchase two Windows Server licenses).

If a physical server has more than two processors, you will have to purchase a license per pair of processors. For example, for a 4-processor server, you will need 2 of the Windows Server R2 standard licenses.

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3. Virtual Machine Licensing

Virtual machines are not authorized directly. However, as discussed above, the standard license allows a licensed physical host to run up to 2 virtual instances of the product. The license for the datacenter allows any number of virtual instances of the OS to run on the host.

What can you do if you need to run more than two VMS on the server under a standard license? You will purchase a standard license that assumes the required amount of 2 virtual machine licenses allowed to run. For example, you can authorize a server that uses a 3 standard license or a 1 Datacenter License 6 virtual machine.

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It is understood that the current price of Microsoft is worth Buying Data Center Edition if you want to run 14 or more virtual machines on a physical host. If the number of virtual machines is small, it is better to get some standard licenses to meet your needs.

A.windows Server R2 Standard Edition license
When you buy a Windows license, you have a piece of paper. Now, you don't even get it. You get an email that tells you where to look for the number of your Windows license.

The "box" is a standard physical instance of Windows Server 2012 and a license for the same two virtual instances. The license to activate the virtual machine is the same key as the physical machine license.

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B.windows Server R2 Data Center Edition license

The Datacenter Edition is in a similar "package", but this time you get unlimited virtual instances. You can also downgrade to any instance in the Standard Edition, which can be either a Standard Edition or a datacenter version.

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4.Windows Server 2012 Licensing and virtual machine migration between physical hosts

We will consider the specificity of the authorization if the guest operating system can be migrated between servers that virtualize farms (using vmotion, live migration, etc.).

Attention. Depending on the license policy, the virtual machine can run not only on Hyper-V, but also on any other platform you choose, Vmware,xen, and so on. Therefore, a standard license/Hyper-V is allowed on a physical dual processor host with VMware ESXi to run 2 virtual machines with Windows Server R2.
For most Microsoft server products, Software Assurance (SA) provides license rights between migration hosts. But Windows Server is an exception. Under the license agreement, licenses can be migrated between hosts once within 90 days.

How can I migrate between hypervisors (host operating systems)? In this scenario, you will purchase the coverage of this digital license so that it is able to run the maximum number of virtual machines per physical server (including the case when all virtual machines are collected? On a single host). That is, the virtual machine's license is linked to a physical host, and the virtual machine is migrated between the different hosts.

For example, for a physical server with two independent single processors on two virtual machines, we need a 2 standard license.

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However, if a virtual machine can be migrated between these servers, we need 4 licenses (4 virtual machines can run concurrently on each server).

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As for data center licenses, 1 licenses will be sufficient for each physical host, because it allows unlimited number of virtual machines to be run. The appropriate license type is based on the virtual airport plan number selection.

5. License downgrade to Windows Server R2

If necessary, you can downgrade Windows Server R2 to Windows Server R2. Data center licenses are converted to the same data center license, and standards can be converted to enterprise or standard licenses. The rules for virtual machine licensing are the same to Windows Server R2.

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Windows Server 2012/2012r2 Physical and virtual machine licensing instructions