Welcome to BeSharp Experts’ comprehensive guide to SQL Server 2022! In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the different editions and licensing models of SQL Server 2022 and how they can support your organization.

SQL Server 2022: Edition Overview

SQL Server 2022 is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern data management systems.

Here are the main editions:

  • Enterprise Edition: Perfect for applications requiring mission critical in-memory performance, advanced security, and high availability.
  • Default Edition: Ideal for mid-tier applications and data marts with full-featured database capabilities.
  • Developer Edition: Available for free and offers all Enterprise Edition features for development and testing purposes.
  • Express Edition: Also available for free and suitable for smaller applications and development purposes.
  • Web Edition: Available through the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) program.

SQL Server 2022 Licensing Models

SQL Server 2022 offers two main licensing models:

  1. Per core licensing:
  • What is it?: A model that provides customers with a precise measure of computing power, regardless of whether solutions are deployed on-premises, virtually, or in the cloud.
  • When to use?: Ideal if you cannot count users/devices, for internet/extranet workloads, or systems that integrate with external workloads.
  • Benefits: More precision and consistency, suitable for physical server use or virtual machines.
  1. Server + CAL (Client Access License):
  • What is it?: This model requires a server license for each server running SQL Server and a CAL for each user or device accessing it.
  • When to use?: Suitable for organizations that want to control costs and easily access additional SQL Server deployments.

Benefits of Software Assurance and Subscription Licensing

Software Assurance (SA) and subscription licensing provide valuable benefits such as:

  • Azure Hybrid Benefit: Save by using existing licenses in Azure.
  • Fail-Over Servers: For disaster recovery and high availability.
  • Unlimited Virtualization: Use an unlimited number of virtual machines.
  • Power BI Report Server: Generate data visualizations on-site.

Virtualization and Container Licensing Options

SQL Server 2022 offers flexibility with virtual machine and container licensing.

There are two primary options:

  1. Individual Virtual Machines or Containers: 
  • What is it?: Virtual core or container based licensing, ideal for dynamic and scaled environments.
  • Benefits: Save on licensing costs by only paying for the virtual resources you actually use. 
  1. High-Density Virtualization or Container Deployment: 
  • What is it?: For customers who want to leverage the full power of their physical servers with dynamic provisioning.
  • Benefits: Maximize efficiency and save costs in high-density virtual environments.

License fee for high availability and disaster recovery

SQL Server 2022 provides high availability and disaster recovery options with passive replicas at no additional licensing costs:

  • A passive fail-over replica for high availability.
  • A passive fail-over replica for disaster recovery.
  • Disaster recovery in Azure.

Non-Production Use License

De Developer Edition is free and provides full access to all Enterprise Edition features for development and testing purposes. This means you can install the software on multiple devices without additional licensing costs.

Get in touch today!

Do you have questions or need help choosing the right edition and license? Contact BeSharp Experts for a free consultation. We are ready to help you find the most optimal licensing solutions for your needs.