Overview


Get the most out of Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2022 introduces advanced multi-layer security, hybrid capabilities with Azure and flexible application platform.










Advanced multilayer security

Hybrid capabilities with Azure

Flexible application platform

Unbeatable offers on Azure



Elevate the security posture of your organization starting with the operating system.

Extend your datacenter to Azure ​for greater IT efficiency.

Empower developers and IT pros with an application platform to build and deploy diverse applications.

See how your cost savings will add up on Azure with offers such as Azure Hybrid Benefit and Extended Security Updates.








Microsoft delivers great Windows Server solutions across cloud and on-premises









 
         
 

 Windows Server on Azure

 Windows Server hybrid

 Windows Server on-premises

  


Modernize your workloads on Azure, the trusted cloud for Windows Server.

Connect on-premises Windows Servers to Azure with Azure Arc.

 Update to the latest operating system for enhanced security, performance and value.


         
         
         
         
 

 Choose the right version for your business

  
   

Windows Server 2022 Edition

Ideal for

Licensing model*

CAL requirements**

Datacentre

Highly virtualised datacentres and cloud environments

Core-based

Windows Server CAL

Standard

Physical or minimally virtualised environments

Core-based

Windows Server CAL
* Please consult Rectron for more information on how to correctly license Windows Server 2022 to ensure that all cores and VMs are accounted for. 

** CALs are required for every user or device accessing a server.

  
















Features

Edition Overview


Edition

Ideal for…

Licensing Model

CAL Requirements

Datacentre

Highly virtualized and software-defined datacenter environments

Per Core/CAL*

(Core-based)

Windows Server CAL**

Standard

Physical or minimally virtualized environments

Per Core/CAL*

(Core-based)

Windows Server CAL**

Essentials

Small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices

Specialty Servers

(Server licence)

No CAL required

*All physical cores on the server must be licensed, subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server.

 **CALs are required for every user or device accessing a server. See the Product Terms for details.

 


Windows Server Standard vs. Datacentre Features



Feature

Datacentre

Standard



Core functionality of Windows Server



Operating system environment (OSEs/Hyper-V containers)

Unlimited

2*



Windows Server containers

Unlimited

Unlimited



Host Guardian Service



Storage replica



Shielded virtual machines




Software-defined networking




*Standard edition permits use of one running instance of the server software in the physical OSE on the licensed server (in addition to two virtual OSEs), if the physical OSE is used solely to host and manage the virtual OSEs.




Licensing Windows Server 2019 Standard & Datacentre


What are the minimum number of cores that must be licensed?

On premise server

  • Standard: When all cores on the server are licensed (subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server), Standard has rights to use two OSEs or two Hyper-V containers and unlimited Windows Server containers.
  • Datacenter: When all cores on the server are licensed (subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server), Datacenter edition has rights to use unlimited OSEs, Hyper-V containers, and Windows Server containers.

§



 

1-Processor Server

2-Processor Server

4-Processor Server



 

Required Core licences

Required Core licences

Required Core licences



2 cores per processor

16

16

32



4 cores per processor

16

16

32



6 cores per processor

16

16

32



8 cores per processor

16

16

32



10 cores per processor

16

20

40



Azure

  •  Minimum 8 cores per virtual machine


I want to run 4 virtual machines on my physical server running Windows Server Standard. How do I extend the licensing to cater for this?

Standard edition has rights to use two operating system environments (OSEs) or two Hyper-V containers and unlimited Windows Server containers when all cores on the server are licensed (subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server). Once a server is licensed, customers may wish to license the server for additional OSEs or Hyper-V containers. This practice is often referred to as “stacking” and is allowed with Standard edition.


The table below provides examples of “stacking” scenarios for various server configurations, the minimum number of licenses required, and the resulting number of OSEs or Hyper-V containers provided. As a rule, for each additional set of two OSEs or two Hyper-V containers the customer wishes to use, the server must be relicensed for the same number of core licenses. Note that Datacentre edition has rights to unlimited virtualization so “stacking” therefore is not required.



 

1 Proc server with 16 cores

2 Proc server with 16 cores

4 Proc server with 32 cores



 

Required Core licences

Required Core licences

Required Core licences



2 per server

16

16

32



4 per server

32

32

64



6 per server

48

48

96



8 per server

64

64

128



10 per server

80

80

160



Do I still need client access licences if all cores have been licensed?

Server software access for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions requires either Client Access Licenses (CALs) or External Connectors. CALs are required for users that are either the customer’s or its affiliates’ employees, or its or its affiliates’ onsite contractors or onsite agents. CALs or, alternatively, External Connectors are required for users that are not either the customer’s or its affiliates’ employees, or its or its affiliates’ onsite contractors or onsite agents.



Product

Class

Category

Type



Windows Server

Client access License

Base

Per user or device



Windows Server Remote Desktop Services

Client access License

Additive

Per user or device



Windows Server Active Directory Rights Management Services

Client access License

Additive

Per user or device



Microsoft Identity Manager User

Client access License

Additive

Per user



Windows Server

External Connector

Base

Per server*



Windows Server Remote Desktop Services

External Connector

Additive

Per server*



Windows Server Active Directory Rights Management Services

External Connector

Additive

Per server*



Microsoft Identity Manager User

External Connector

Additive

Per server*



* Each physical server access requires an External Connector






What is Azure Hybrid Use Benefit?

Azure Hybrid Benefit is a cost-savings benefit that lets you bring your existing on-premises Windows Server and SQL Server licenses with active Software Assurance or subscriptions to Azure. Save up to 85 percent* compared to standard pay-as-you-go rates and achieve the lowest cost of ownership when you combine Azure Hybrid Benefit, reservations savings, and extended security updates. Azure Hybrid Benefit also applies to SQL on Azure and Azure Dedicated Host. Additionally, it provides 180 days of dual-use rights so you can maintain your on-premises operation while migrating to Azure. And now, this benefit applies to RedHat and SUSE Linux subscriptions, too.

*Actual savings may vary based on region, instance type, or usage.

 

What licences are eligible for Azure Hybrid Use Benefit? 

SQL Server and Windows Server licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses. These include:

  • Windows Server Datacenter edition with Software Assurance.
  • Windows Server Standard edition with Software Assurance.
  • SQL Server Enterprise Edition core licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses.
  • SQL Server Standard Edition core licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses.

If you don't have Software Assurance, it's available for purchase with new licenses at list prices or with qualifying subscription licenses.

The offer is available in all Azure regions.

 

How do I use Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server and Windows Server together?

You can combine Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server and Windows Server when you use SQL Server with Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Dedicated Host. The process of applying Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines depends on the deployment option.

For pay-as-you-go or bring-your-own-license images from Azure Marketplace:

  • In the Azure Portal, check the boxes for Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server and Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server either during provisioning or for an existing virtual machine.
  • Use the resource provider to activate Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server. Then apply Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server using the PowerShell instructions.
  • For self-installation:
  • Use the resource provider to activate Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server. Then apply Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server using the PowerShell instructions.

You can activate the benefit in the Azure portal by affirming that you have sufficient active licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses.