SSRS license on a separate sql server vm

Question

I have a VM on Azure IaaS Sql server 2019 Standard. I would like to install SSRS on a separate VM. Would I need a new license for this?

Answer 1

Probably not. SSRS itself doesn't need a license. You get it with SQL. However SSRS requires a database and therefore a SQL instance to host the database. So if you're just hosting the SSRS components, and not the databases, on another server then your existing SQL license is fine. If you want SSRS completely on a different server, including the reporting database needed to support SSRS then you'll need a SQL license for just that aspect. In my experience most people host the SSRS databases on their standard SQL Server instance and SSRS on another server for performance reasons. A single SQL license is fine for this.

Of course you still need to license the VM OS itself. I assume you already have a valid license for that. So you can host SSRS services on any machine you want.

Answer 2

Yes, you would need an additional SQL Server license for SSRS if it is installed on a separate VM. When you install SSRS on a separate VM, that instance is treated as a new SQL Server installation from a licensing perspective. This requires a separate license for the new VM, even if it is only used for SSRS.

Here you will find Brent Ozar answering that same question you have. Read the answers to Curt and Adrian, provided by Brent.

To be certain about having to pay licensing or not, please talk to a Microsoft Licensing Specialist. Please call 1-800-426-9400, Monday to Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to directly speak to a Microsoft licensing specialist. For international customers, please use the https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/worldwide to find contact information. Or you could get help from Volume Licensing Service Center support.

Answer 3

Hi @PHILIPE RIBEIRO MENDONCA，

For question regarding pricing / licensing please contact a Microsoft sales partner or licensing expert.

Please call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Or you can go to Volume Licensing Service Center support. Please choose region/language and choose to call or have web. People there will help you more effectively.

Regards，

Zoe Hui

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Answer 4

Would I need a new license for this?

Yes. One licenses allows you to install SQL Server (components) on one machine, not more.

If you want to install more on a second machine/VM, then you need a second license.