Server 2012 R2 Licensing on ESXi
I purchased a Dell Server with MS Server 2012 R2 Standard Open License. I was told I can run 2 instances (VMs).
I want to setup 2 VMs on ESXi 6.0. Can I activate 2 VMs with this one license? Or, do I have to install one instance on the hardware and use the MS Hyper-V?
I want to setup 2 VMs on ESXi 6.0. Can I activate 2 VMs with this one license? Or, do I have to install one instance on the hardware and use the MS Hyper-V?
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ASKER
So, I actually loose one server license by using ESXi instead of Hyper-V?
Can I install the Server on anther piece of hardware and still use the VM's on the ESXi based hardware?
Can I install the Server on anther piece of hardware and still use the VM's on the ESXi based hardware?
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ASKER
Ok, Thank You. Your answer was very clear and helpful, as were the article links. I guess ESXi it is.
Just have to get over the hurdles of getting the VMs to recognize the LTO Tape and RDX hardware I had installed internally on the system for backup.
Just have to get over the hurdles of getting the VMs to recognize the LTO Tape and RDX hardware I had installed internally on the system for backup.
No problems.
If you struggle with your backups, please a new question, and myself or other Experts can assist.
If you struggle with your backups, please a new question, and myself or other Experts can assist.
"So, I actually loose one server license by using ESXi instead of Hyper-V?
Can I install the Server on anther piece of hardware and still use the VM's on the ESXi based hardware? "
On my info that is not correct. There are two things that you must take into account. A windows server license is tied to one server hardware (you can have one one hyper-v host and two VM's on the same hw box) and on hyper-v host you can not have installed anything else, except administrative/management software. If you install anything else, one license for VM is gone for host.
(Page 2. and 3. of first Andrew's link)
With open license you can relocate license on different hardware every 90 days, except if you buy SA you gain "license mobility" feature. You can move licenses around more frequently for let say clustered environment.
Anyway, getting info about Ms licensing is not so easy, because we are not authoritative to give you such info. If you will say that somebody in EE said this, it will mean nothing to BSA or Ms layers.
And second, Ms employees will sometimes (or frequently) give you wrong info because of:
- complicated licensing and they will want to be on safe side
- to sell more
Can I install the Server on anther piece of hardware and still use the VM's on the ESXi based hardware? "
On my info that is not correct. There are two things that you must take into account. A windows server license is tied to one server hardware (you can have one one hyper-v host and two VM's on the same hw box) and on hyper-v host you can not have installed anything else, except administrative/management software. If you install anything else, one license for VM is gone for host.
(Page 2. and 3. of first Andrew's link)
With open license you can relocate license on different hardware every 90 days, except if you buy SA you gain "license mobility" feature. You can move licenses around more frequently for let say clustered environment.
Anyway, getting info about Ms licensing is not so easy, because we are not authoritative to give you such info. If you will say that somebody in EE said this, it will mean nothing to BSA or Ms layers.
And second, Ms employees will sometimes (or frequently) give you wrong info because of:
- complicated licensing and they will want to be on safe side
- to sell more
do you require any additional help to close out this question?
ASKER
Thanks.
ASKER