February 14, 2012 at 4:05 pm
We are purchased some sql server R2 license with Software assurance.
Besides free upgrade to next version, I would like to know from other DBA or developers about any other benefits from purchasing it?
Also I see online it provides some product related training like free e-learning course, any one has used it, how to get to it?
Thanks
February 15, 2012 at 1:29 am
sqlfriends (2/14/2012)
We are purchased some sql server R2 license with Software assurance.Besides free upgrade to next version, I would like to know from other DBA or developers about any other benefits from purchasing it?
Also I see online it provides some product related training like free e-learning course, any one has used it, how to get to it?
Thanks
The only thing we buy SA for is the upgradability to the latest version, but from the last time I purchased SA it was available in 1,2,3 year chunks, now with MS releasing every 4 years (approx) is the cost of buying 4 years SA on top of the licences more than buying double the licences.
If you plan on moving to SQL 2012 then the licencing model has changed and no longer relects physical CPU but more on the cores of the CPU and MS will only reimburse a number of 2012 licences for each CPU licence you have, link below
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/future-editions/sql2012-licensing.aspx
So its weighing up the costs, if you dont upgrade as soon as a product comes out you wait a few years, you might end up spending more on SA than you do purchasing SQL 2008 lics and then when ready purchasing SQL 2012 lics.
As for the additional benefits, I would speak to your software provider who should be able to send you in the right direction.
February 20, 2012 at 3:26 am
If you are using Software Assurance, then from the date of your next SA review after SQL 2012 is released I am told your SQL Server licences will be moved to the SQL 2012 licensing model.
This could affect the costs you are charged for running older versions of SQL Server. When licences are converted to the SQL 2012 model, Microsoft want to convert processor socket licenses to processor core licenses at a ratio of 1 to 4.
This means that if you have a new twin-socket 6-core commodity server and have turned on Hyperthreading you currently have the benefit of 24 cores and are happily running SQL 2008 R2 on your basic 2-socket license.
After your next SA review your 2-socket license will be converted to an 8-core license, and to continue to benefit from all 24 cores you will need to buy license packs to cover the remaining 16 cores. This is money you will have to pay regardless of if you are running SQL 2012 or SQL 2005 on your 24-core box. The only way round this would be to limit the number of cores in use either at the Windows level with a boot switch or with Processor Affinity at the SQL Server level.
The moral is that is you are on SA, your organisation needs to talk to your Microsoft Account Manager and plan the impact of SQL 2012 licencing on your current use of SQL Server.
Original author: https://github.com/SQL-FineBuild/Common/wiki/ 1-click install and best practice configuration of SQL Server 2019, 2017 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005.
When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor they call me a communist - Archbishop Hélder Câmara
February 20, 2012 at 8:18 am
EdVassie (2/20/2012)
The only way round this would be to limit the number of cores in use either at the Windows level with a boot switch or with Processor Affinity at the SQL Server level.
I didn't know you could do that, I thought you always had to license (SQL Standard, in a per processor model) the physical sockets in a box even if you disabled/restricted their use unless you were running it in a VM (and then it would be the resources allocated to the VM). Did this change for 2012?
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