sql 2005 licenses - dual processor server hosting virtual machine

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smnbss - 05 Mar 2008 10:09 GMT

I've got a server with dual processor, each one quad core.
I wan to setup a virtual machine to run sql server on my production
environment.
What kind of license do I need to buy?

I actually have

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition, in all supported languages2 1 10
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 CTP5

from my action pack.
https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/program/managemembership/actionpack/mapscontents

Is that ok? or do I need to buy another kind of license?

Simone Basso

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Daniel Crichton - 05 Mar 2008 10:28 GMT

smnbss wrote on Wed, 5 Mar 2008 10:09:27 -0000:

> I've got a server with dual processor, each one quad core.
> I wan to setup a virtual machine to run sql server on my production
> environment.
> What kind of license do I need to buy?

> I actually have

> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition, in all supported languages2
> 1 10
> Microsoft SQL Server 2008 CTP5

> from my action pack.
> https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/program/managemembership/actionpack/
> mapscontents

> Is that ok? or do I need to buy another kind of license?

The Action Pack does not appear to allow you to use the software for a
production environment. From the FAQ:Licensing page:

"The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Licence Agreement allows the use of
Action Pack software only for internal business needs, as well as
evaluation, demonstration, testing, training and educational purposes. Use
in a production environment, such as to host a commercial website, is
outside the scope of the agreement. To learn about the appropriate use of
the software, read the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Initiative
Addendum."

If you are going to use SQL Server for a website database, you will need to
buy 2 SQL Server 2005 Standard Processor Licenses (each of these allows the
use of a single physical processor by SQL Server 2005 Standard). For any
non-public use you will need to look at how many users will be accessing it
to determine if processor licenses, client licenses, or device licenses are
the most cost effective solution. Basically, forget the Action Pack - as you
can't use any of it in a production environment you will have to start from
scratch via your normal VAR/LAR or a distributor.

Signature

Dan

--
Dan

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smnbss - 05 Mar 2008 11:20 GMT

We are a start up, we cannot afford to spend 10 000£ of microsoft licenses
from day 1.

"The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Licence Agreement gives you the
right to use the Action Pack software to run your own business as well as
for evaluation, demonstration, testing, training and education. They are not
for personal use, for hosting customer applications, or for installation at
a customer site. They may not be resold, transferred, or assigned to any
third party.

For example, you can use Action Pack software to host your company's
intranet. It cannot be used, for example, to host a commercial website; this
is considered a production environment outside the scope of the software's
intended purpose."

Microsoft Action Pack is intended to help us to run our business.

Apart from that, if I have this situation:
Host server - dual processor - running windows 2008

can I run a Virtual machine on top of that, and install sql server with a
single processor license or not?

Simone

> smnbss wrote on Wed, 5 Mar 2008 10:09:27 -0000:
>
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> you will have to start from scratch via your normal VAR/LAR or a
> distributor.

Reply to this Message

Greg D. Moore (Strider) - 05 Mar 2008 12:53 GMT

> For example, you can use Action Pack software to host your company's
> intranet. It cannot be used, for example, to host a commercial website;
> this is considered a production environment outside the scope of the
> software's intended purpose."
>
> Microsoft Action Pack is intended to help us to run our business.

I think the original poster assumed (as I did) that you were originally
asking about hosting an Internet site, not something internal.

> Apart from that, if I have this situation:
> Host server - dual processor - running windows 2008
>
> can I run a Virtual machine on top of that, and install sql server with a
> single processor license or not?

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/virtualization.mspx

It APPEARS to me that as long as the VM can only access a single CPU, you're
fine.

However, I do not work for, represent or in anyway speak for MS. I suggest
contacting a licensing specialist from them directly just to be sure.

> Simone
>
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>> environment you will have to start from scratch via your normal VAR/LAR
>> or a distributor.

Signature

Greg Moore
SQL Server DBA Consulting Remote and Onsite available!
Email: sql (at) greenms.com http://www.greenms.com/sqlserver.html

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Daniel Crichton - 05 Mar 2008 15:31 GMT

smnbss wrote on Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:20:18 -0000:

> We are a start up, we cannot afford to spend 10 000£ of microsoft
> licenses from day 1.

Have you considered starting out on SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, and
moving up to Standard when your business needs require it?

If you're intending to use this on a public website the "we cannot afford
..." argument doesn't wash with MS. Use Windows 2003 Web Edition and SQL
Server Express for a cheap Windows+SQL Server website setup.

> Microsoft Action Pack is intended to help us to run our business.

When you asked about a production environment, I incorrectly assumed you
meant a web site. It's been so long since I dealt with setting up an
internal system that my brain associates production with publicly
accessible.

So long as the software from the Action Pack is only being used internally,
with no public access from, for example, a web site, then you should be OK.

> Apart from that, if I have this situation:
> Host server - dual processor - running windows 2008

> can I run a Virtual machine on top of that, and install sql server with
> a single processor license or not?

> Simone

You should be OK with that. However, as I don't work for MS licensing, my
opinions count for nothing when it comes to what MS legal have to say. When
in doubt, ask your MS Account Manager as they should be able to explain it
to you and will be able to check on exactly what you can and cannot do.

Dan

>> smnbss wrote on Wed, 5 Mar 2008 10:09:27 -0000:

>>> I've got a server with dual processor, each one quad core.
>>> I wan to setup a virtual machine to run sql server on my production
>>> environment.
>>> What kind of license do I need to buy?

>>> I actually have

>>> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition, in all supported
>>> languages2 1 10
>>> Microsoft SQL Server 2008 CTP5

>>> from my action pack.
>>> https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/program/managemembership/actionpack/
>>> mapscontents

>>> Is that ok? or do I need to buy another kind of license?

>> The Action Pack does not appear to allow you to use the software for
>> a production environment. From the FAQ:Licensing page:

>> "The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Licence Agreement allows the
>> use of Action Pack software only for internal business needs, as
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> Pack Subscription Initiative
>> Addendum."

>> If you are going to use SQL Server for a website database, you will
>> need to buy 2 SQL Server 2005 Standard Processor Licenses (each of
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>> of it in a production environment you will have to start from
>> scratch via your normal VAR/LAR or a distributor.

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