Azure licensing for SQL Server

  • I am looking at doing some POC's on Azure for SQL Server.

    Basically, I would need a VM Created on Azure, then I would install SQL Server 2008 and want to upgrade/migrate it to SQL 2014. want to check various things during the course of this migration.

    Now, the big question is.what sort of azure subscription needs to be purchased here?

    Will I be able to download evaluation editions of sql 2008/2014 on the VM for free of cost?

  • Licensing SQL VMS (IaaS) done via 1 of the below options:

    •Obtain a SQL image from the Azure VM marketplace and pay the per-minute rate of SQL Server, or

    •Install or upload your own SQL Server image using the license mobility benefits under Software Assurance

  • Benki Chendu (8/24/2016)


    Will I be able to download evaluation editions of sql 2008/2014 on the VM for free of cost?

    For things like this, it's a VM. That means the same rules apply as they would to a VM on your system locally or even your local system. No changes to licensing because the VM happens to be on Azure. The exception to that is outlined in the answer above.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

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  • Will this VM have any production uses? It's not clear from your question whether you will be eligible for a development license use or if you are using it for production uses. And as noted below, the license terms are the same as on-prem installations with the exception of SQL Server VMs which include licenses as part of the hourly cost.

  • Karen Lopez @datachick (9/5/2016)


    Will this VM have any production uses? It's not clear from your question whether you will be eligible for a development license use or if you are using it for production uses. And as noted below, the license terms are the same as on-prem installations with the exception of SQL Server VMs which include licenses as part of the hourly cost.

    bringing this topic, up, again.

    I only want to do some sort of functionality testing on Azure. May be install SQL 2016 there, or use PaaS SQL Azure and do some testing.

    I wouldnt have huge amount of data anyways..

  • SQL VM as noted above has two different ways to pay. You pay while the VM shows anything other than 'Deallocated' in the Azure Portal. Turn off from the portal when not in use.

    Azure SQL Database is a whole different pricing method...you pay while it exists.

    If you are testing version upgrades, VM is the only way to go

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