Kurt Shintaku's Blog

There are some massive licensing changes occurring for SQL Server & System Center and their “2012” releases. 

The following licenses will be released for SQL Server 2012:

• Enterprise Edition – Core License Pack (2 cores, Unlimited VM)
• Business Intelligence Edition – Svr License/Clt License (1 VM)
• Standard Edition – Core License Pack (2 cores, 1 VM) OR
  Standard Edition – Svr License/Clt License (1 VM)

The following licenses will be released for System Center 2012:

• System Center 2012 Datacenter Server Mgmt License (2 procs/Unlimited VMs)
• System Center 2012 Standard Server Mgmt License (2 procs/2 VMs)

Here’s a summary of all the key points of the changes occurring for each product:

SQL Server 2012 Licensing Changes
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/future-editions/sql2012-licensing.aspx

1. LICENSE VEHICLE:
   SQL 2012 is licensed in 2-core packs.
   Additionally, all SQL instances are licensed for 4 core minimum.
   Thus, each SQL instance requires two “2-core packs” at a minimum.
2. LICENSING OPTIONS:
   Server/CAL licensing is available in BI or Std Editions
   Core licensing is available in Ent or Std Editions
3. VIRTUALIZATION:
   Per VM licensing is Core (BI or Std) or Svr/CAL 
   Per VM host (Unlimited VM) licensing is Core (Ent+SA)
4. EXISTING ENTERPRISE SVR/CAL LICENSING:
   Ent Svr/CAL purchases end 6/30/12 (EAP exempted);
   Post 6/30 must buy BI/Std for Svr/CAL
   WARNING:
   Ent Svr/CAL implementations have a 20 core technical limit
5. TRANSITIONING TO PROC/CORE LICENSING: (SA Customers)
   1 proc Ent/Std = 4 cores Ent/Std
   1 proc DC = 8 cores Ent
   THE DEAL: 
   Use MAPS to document & timestamp inventory of SQL usage for 1:1 grandfathered core licensing to match actual existing hardware by launch or end of EAP agreement.  Otherwise standard transition (above) applies.

System Center 2012 Licensing Changes
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/system-center/default.aspx

1. LICENSING SUITES
   Must license all 8 SC products in Suite; no more individual licenses.
   All licensed with SC2012 Datacenter/Standard Server Mgmt License.
2. LICENSE EDITIONS:
   ”Standard” provides 2 procs/2 VMs
   ”Datacenter” provides 2 procs/Unlimited VMs.
3. HOW TO LICENSE “STANDARD”
   Standard licensed on a server – based on whatever’s greater: Procs or VMs.
4. LICENSE MOBILITY
   License mobility (VMotion, LiveMotion) requires Software Assurance.
5. TRANSITIONING SERVER-TO-SUITE LICENSING: (SA Customers)
   2 SMSD = 1 SCML-D  |   1 SMSE = 2 SCML-S
   1 StandAlone ML-E/S = 1 SCML-S   |    1 VMM = 1 SCML-D
   THE DEAL:
   Use MAPS to document & timestamp inventory of System Center usage for 1:1 grandfathered proc licensing to match actual existing hardware by launch. Otherwise standard transition (above) applies.
6. CLIENT VIRTUALIZATION
   VDI requires “Config Mgr MLs”
   Orchestrator requires “Client Mgmt Suite CML” (CMS CML)
7. TRANSITIONING CLIENT-TO-CML LICENSING: (SA Customers)
   OM/DPM/DM CML = CMS CML
   SCCM CML/VMM = SCCM CML