Microsoft Enterprise Agreements - Microsoft SQL Server Strategies

In case you haven't heard it yet, Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is going to contain some major licensing changes. Customers with existing (or new prior to the release of SQL Server 2012) Enterprise Agreements (EA) or Enrollment for Application Platforms (EAP) with SQL Server included on those agreements have some great opportunities right now but should be working out a strategy to meet their current and projected needs.

If you're unaware of the changes, check out our blog on Network World to find out more details.

If you have SQL Server Enterprise on your EA or EAP before the release of the 2012 version you can continue to purchase the same licensing model until the end of your agreement. In other words, even though the SQL Server Enterprise server and Client Access License (CAL) model will disappear with the release of 2012, if you already have that model on your EA or EAP you can continue buying under that model until your agreement ends. Additionally, if you have SQL Server Enterprise processor licenses on your EA or EAP, you can continue to purchase processor licenses (rather than core licenses) through the end of your agreement.

This presents a number of opportunities for organizations to save money moving forward but having a strategy will be key! If you don't already have these products on your EA or EAP, you might want to consider if you should add them prior to the release of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (as opposed to waiting until your next true-up which might mean you miss an opportunity). 

As always, let us know if we can help you create a Microsoft licensing strategy that is most beneficial to your organization!

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Licensing Changes - CALs Also!

(Updated 5/18/10 based on info from Microsoft)

I heard an ugly rumor yesterday about Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 from Gaby Amar at Softmart saying that in order to use SQL Server 2008 R2 in a server/CAL model you will have to have 2008 R2 CALs as well (typically for R2 releases you don't need an updated CAL). Well...checked it out with Microsoft licensing and he was absolutely correct (I should have known better than to be surprised, LOL)!

Basically, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is a major release (think in terms of a release such as Microsoft SQL Server 2000 to Microsoft SQL Server 2005) so don't let the lack of year change in the naming convention fool you.

Customers who have active Microsoft Software Assurance on their exisiting SQL Server products will have the new release rights, but those that don't will need to purchase new licenses in order to run the software (for those who run in Server/CAL mode this means both new server licenses and new CAL licenses).

CAL Requirements

1. If you have Microsoft Software Assurance currently in effect on your SQL Server CALs, then you are entitled to SQL Server 2008 R2 CALs
2. If you do not have Software Assurance, you must have SQL Server 2008 R2 CALs to run SQL Server 2008 R2 using the Server/CAL software licensing model (in other words...don't try to run with your older SQL Server 2008 CALs).

You may be wondering why I'm making such a big deal about this...after all it is a new release, of course new licenses are required. My point is this: it is a departure from how Microsoft has licensed Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 where the Windows Server 2008 CAL can still be used on the newer version Windows Server 2008 R2.

Additionally, there are changes to the processor licensing for SQL Server 2008 R2. You might want to check out some of these resources for more information on this and other SQL Server 2008 R2 changes.

Microsoft has provided the following links for further information on licensing:

• The SQL licensing quick reference guide: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/licensing.aspx
• Direct link to the guide: http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/7/0/270B6380-8B38-4268-8AD0-F480A139AB19/SQL2008R2_LicensingQuickReference-updated.pdf
• Overall SQL Server 2008 Licensing FAQ: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/licensing-faq.aspx
• Microsoft SQL Site: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/
• Product Use Rights has info on the following products: R2 CALs (OCS, System Center Configuration Manager, System Center Operations Manager, System Center Virtual Machine Manager) http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/product-licensing.aspx

For more information on virtualization and SQL Server 2008 R2 check out Andrew Fryer's blog.

If you have any questions - let me know! This is a huge change in Microsoft's licensing trend.