Licensing Details for Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Edition and CAL Requirements

Question

Hi Experts,

We have a client requesting clarification on licensing for their upcoming migration. Currently, they have an on-premises Windows Server 2016 environment with Active Directory (serving as the primary domain controller), and around 1,200 domain-joined servers providing single sign-on functionality.

The plan is to deploy a new Amazon EC2 instance running Windows Server 2019 Datacenter edition, configure it as a secondary domain controller, then later promote it to primary and decommission the existing on-premises Windows Server 2016 AD server.

Could you please advise on the following:

1. The licensing costs associated with Windows Server 2019 Datacenter edition.
2. Whether Windows Server CALs are required for the 1,200 domain-joined servers.
3. If CALs are needed, what the associated costs would be for 1200 CAL?

Thanks & Regards,

Veera.