# Monday, October 29, 2007

Today's question of the course (2780B), how do licensing options mix with multiple instances. The course points out the choices on installation;

  • Per processor
  • Per Server
    • Device Client Access License
    • User Client Access License

That's about it, but as always, MS-Licensing is more complicated than a single page in the text-book. If you want to know it all, there is an SQL Server licensing white-paper, covering;

  • Virtualization / Multi-instances
  • Multi-core processors
  • Fail-over technologies (Cluster, Database Mirroring, Log Shipping)
  • Multiplexing
  • Separation of components over multiple servers.
  • SQL vs Workgroup CAL's
  • Special programs for ISV's and hosting providers
  • Downgrading

For just Virtualization and Multi-instancing, read this section of the above white-paper. For more info on licenses and pricing, visit How to buy SQL Server. Keep in mind that pricing and licensing may vary based on your location.