Windows Server And Hyper V

If you are going with Windows Server 2012 Datacenter or 2012 R2 Datacenter edition, you are licensed to run unlimited Windows Server OS as VMs on this server. If you go with a Standard edition, you are licensed for just two Windows server OS.

Have a look on this data sheet to get more information.

http://www.altaro.com/hyper-v/windows-hyper-v-virtual-machine-licensing-standard-enterprise-datacenter/

Cheers

So does that mean if I have the Standard Edition I am allowed 1 virtual Machine and if I wanted to add more VMs I just but the required os Licsense?

If you have a standard edition,  you can run two windows VM s. Additional VM s require separate  license.

At the same time , if you go for a data center edition , you are entitled to run unlimited windows sever  VMs.

Cheers

I would rather suggest you to go with article provided by Shabarinath Ramadasan in the first comment . If that causes lots of trouble ,please let us know your physical hardware specification and the number of VMs you want to run so that we can suggest you the best licensing option.

Else in a very simple way , you don't want to get confused and want to license each VM separately you can do that by using Hyper-V core version installation on you physical machine and using RSAT-Tool to get GUI access of Hyper-V manager of the Core machine. And Start Creating a VM and licensing it individually.

Hyper-V core is a free tool and doesn't need any license. This has been very successful in Small business who wants to pay as per use basis.

If you go for standard edition you will able create only two VM's where as in Datacenter you will able to create unlimited VM.

I would suggest you to plan the infrastructure first like, how many VMs you required, what will be the resource allocation to them & cost of per VM license (for standard) etc. Once you have clear idea and comparision you can select the Edition.

Also VM OS license will cost separate i.e. you will have to pay the license of OS installed inside the VM.

I am looking to have the Main server that runs Hyper v as a domain controller and then 3 Virtual machines running on the same server using Hyper v

Then better you go for a data center edition. If budget is not a constrain. So that you can host more Vm s in future with out bothering of license.

Ok so given that Standard Vesion allows you to run 2 VM,s and I want to run 3 VM's and I did not want to go to Datacentre edition, what extra licenses will I need is it the OS and a VM?

If you are going for 3 VM with Standard edition you will have to purchase license for extra VM and OS for all the three VM's.

Ok thanks for clearing this up.

So just to finalize standard with just Hyper V Installed provides 2 x vms, I f I wanted to add another 2 x vms to that machine I would need to buy another Standard license?

so you cant just buy a VM License like a CAL or something?

So just to finalize standard with just Hyper V Installed provides 2 x vms, I f I wanted to add another 2 x vms to that machine I would need to buy another Standard license?

Correct.

so you cant just buy a VM License like a CAL or something?

No, because you don't need to.  The ability to create a virtual machine (WITHOUT an operating system) doesn't require a CAL - it's free.  Installing most editions of Linux is free... so putting Linux on a VM or 100 VMs is free - no cost.  Each installation of Windows requires a license.  Server 2012 Standard provides you TWO licenses to run in a VM.

Ok Thanks im really sorry but quick question just to clear up :(

1 x server with Just Hyper v Server installed which is Free.

2 x VMs installed as Virtual Machine on that Hyper V Server

So if I buy 1 x Standard Edition of 2012R2 server you are saying that covers me for Both vms - got that bit.

do I still then need to buy 2 x standard edition to put on the Vms as Operating systems, or are you saying I can use that Keycode on the Standard edition twice to install on both Vms?

Sorry but I need to get this right

1 x server with Just Hyper v Server installed which is Free.

There is a FREE version of Hyper-V that you can absolutely use.  I'm not sure if this is what you are asking.  I would advise against doing that.  Instead, you buy ONE copy of Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard.  This gives you the legal right to install:

So if I buy 1 x Standard Edition of 2012R2 server you are saying that covers me for Both vms - got that bit.

Yes, if you only want TWO VMs running Windows Server 2012 R2 (or any prior version of Windows Server) and the server only has one or two socketed CPUs.

do I still then need to buy 2 x standard edition to put on the Vms as Operating systems, or are you saying I can use that Keycode on the Standard edition twice to install on both Vms?

VERY VERY IMPORTANT - a key code is NOT a license.  It's a mechanism employed by Microsoft to help ensure licensing compliance.  The single copy purchased allows two VMs.  Unless they've changed something, you would use the same product key.  If you had problems, you would call Microsoft and explain what you are doing and they should absolutely help get it working.

In comment https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28513612/Windows-Server-And-Hyper-V.html?anchorAnswerId=40309816#a40309816 you stated you want "Hyper v as a domain controller and then 3 Virtual machines" - You CANNOT make a physical install of Windows Server 2012 R2 with Hyper-V a domain controller (TECHNICALLY, you can, but no professional would do so and you'd lose a VM license.  It's just a bad idea).  SO, you would have:
A total of 4 VMs.  Total licenses of 2012 R2 Standard required to purchase is TWO.  That will provide you with 4 VMs.