Need to estimate requirement of OS licenses for Win server OS 2022.

Question

I have base server of 32 physical core, need to create VM as per below requirements. How can i calculate license requirement?

2x VMs of 12 vCore each

3x VMs of 8 vCore each

Answer

Hello

Thank you for posting in Q&A forum.

Here are some suggestions for your reference.

Windows Server 2022 is licensed based on the number of physical cores in the server. Each physical server requires a minimum of 16 core licenses. Each physical processor requires a minimum of 8 core licenses.
Since you have a server with 32 physical cores, you need to license all 32 cores. Core licenses are sold in packs of 2, so you will need 16 packs of 2-core licenses (32 cores / 2 cores per pack).
Each Windows Server Standard license allows you to run up to 2 VMs. For example, if you plan to run 4 VMs on your server, you will need to license the physical cores twice (once for the base server and once for the additional VMs). For 32 physical cores, you will need 32 core licenses for the base server and another 32 core licenses for the additional VMs, totaling 64 core licenses. This means you will need 32 packs of 2-core licenses (64 cores / 2 cores per pack).
If you plan to run a large number of VMs, consider the Datacenter edition, which allows unlimited VMs on a licensed server. You still need to license all physical cores, but you won't need additional licenses for each set of VMs.
Licensing can be complex, and it's always a good idea to consult with a Microsoft licensing specialist or a certified reseller to ensure you have the correct licenses for your specific needs.

References:

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Daisy Zhou

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