Provisioning a new server and keeping SQL Server 2012 pricing in mind.

  • I work for a small department at a university. I'm looking at provisioning a new server to move from SQL Server 2005, to SQL Server 2012. Then university has an agreement with Dell, so it will be a Dell server (we've had good luck with them, so that's not a problem from my point of view).

    The question I'm having is that I'm wondering about how to configure the Windows server, in order to help keep the cost of SQL Server 2012 down? We'll probably go with SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition, as I don't think we'll need features of the Enterprise Edition (I wish we could, but oh well). I remember hearing a Run As Radio podcast in which Richard Campbell was talking about provisioning a server for SQL 2012, and I think there a way of keeping the cost down, either by how many processors you have in it, or something like that. I've heard that Microsoft has changed the cost structure with the introduction of SQL Server 2012, so I'd like some advise along these lines, please.

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • In terms of the licensing to get a better understanding I suggest that you look at the following:

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/3/C/73CAD4E0-D0B5-4BE5-AB49-D5B886A5AE00/SQL_Server_2012_Licensing_Reference_Guide.pdf

    However, it is always best to speak with your Microsoft representative as well as the reseller who provides your company with licenses.

  • SQLArcher (2/12/2013)


    In terms of the licensing to get a better understanding I suggest that you look at the following:

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/3/C/73CAD4E0-D0B5-4BE5-AB49-D5B886A5AE00/SQL_Server_2012_Licensing_Reference_Guide.pdf

    However, it is always best to speak with your Microsoft representative as well as the reseller who provides your company with licenses.

    +1 to that. Always speak to your reseller or MS directly as they make the rule, they can change the rules without telling anyone.

    2012 changed to Core based instead of processor based licensing. So you need to take into account what CPU's you purchase and how many cores each one has. There is a minimum 4 core purchase per CPU, so if you have 2 Dual core chips, (4 cores in total) you need to purchase 8 core licenses.

    Once you have purchased the minimum 4 cores per CPU, you can then purchase 2 core packs to top up. So a Hex core chip would be the minimum 4 + 2 additional, again its per chip.

    Attached the licensing guide SQLArcher linked to and a white paper on upgrading to 2012.

  • Thank you, SQLArcher, for the link.

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • Anthony, we've been haggling (?sp) over the server and pricing for a while. I wanted to get a server with duel cores, but it just wasn't in the budget, so we've gotten a single core server.

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • You mean 1 CPU not 1 Core?

    So 1 CPU with how many cores?

  • anthony.green (2/13/2013)


    You mean 1 CPU not 1 Core?

    So 1 CPU with how many cores?

    Sorry, yes, I mean 1 CPU. I'll have to look at the specs before I can answer how many cores; I've no idea at this point.

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

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