Windows Server 2019
There are two primary editions of Windows Server 2019: Standard and Datacenter, based on the size of the organization as well as virtualization and data center requirements (see features comparison). Both editions' licensing models include both Cores + Client Access Licenses (CALs). 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. Core licenses are sold in packs of two (2Lic Core) and in packs of sixteen (16Lic Core). At the same time, there are legal requirements:
A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor (2Lic Core - 4 licenses).
A minimum of 16 core licenses is required for each server. (2Lic Core - 8 licenses or 16Lic Core - 1 license).
If you need to install more than 13 virtual instances of Windows Server on the server, then it is economically feasible to purchase the Datacenter edition. The number of required Datacenter licenses will be the same as for Standard edition with the number of virtual Windows Server = 0.
CALs or CALs + RDS (Remote Desktop Services) CALs are required to access instances of Windows Server. The number of servers used does not matter. The current version of the client access license permits the use of the functionality of servers of previous versions.
The use of previous versions of Standard and Enterprise is allowed. Keys and distributions for current and previous versions are provided on the Microsoft VLSC website. Before purchasing licenses, carefully read the Windows Server 2019 Licensing Datasheet.
| Processors in the server | |
| Cores in each processor | |
| Physical instances of Windows Server on the server | |
| Virtual instances of Windows Server on the server | |
| The required number of 2-core licenses for the server (Cores: 1, Copies: 1) | 8 |
Server licenses
Windows Server 2019 Standard
For proper server licensing, you must purchase the required number of licenses (2-core and / or 16-core).
The required number of Standard licenses provides the right to use 1 physical and 2 virtual instances of Windows Server on the licensed server. For every two additional virtual instances, you must additionally purchase the required number of Standard licenses for the server.
| 2 core licenses (minimum purchase - 8 licenses per server) | |||
| 9EM-00653 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard - License - 2 cores - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
| 16 core license (minimum purchase - 1 licenses per server) | |||
| 9EM-00652 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard - License - 16 cores - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter
For proper server licensing, you must purchase the required number of licenses (2-core and / or 16-core).
The required number of Datacenter licenses grants the right to use 1 physical and any number of virtual instances of Windows Server on the licensed server.
| 2 core license (minimum purchase - 8 licenses per server) | |||
| 9EA-01045 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter - License - 2 cores - Microsoft Qualified - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
| 16 core license (minimum purchase - 1 licenses per server) | |||
| 9EA-01044 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter - License - 16 cores - Microsoft Qualified - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
Windows Server 2019 Essentials
Windows Server Essentials offers a flexible, affordable, and easy-to-use server solution for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. An ideal first server, Windows Server Essentials can also be used as the primary server in a multi-server environment for small businesses.
Windows Server Essentials licensed in PER-SERVER model and doesn't require Client Access Licenses (CALs). You can use 1 physical and 1 virtual instance of Windows Server Essentials on the physical hardware. If Virtual instance is used for production purposes then Physical instance can only be used for virtualization purposes and nothing else.
| License for one server | |||
| G3S-01259 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Essentials - License - 1 server - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
Client licenses
Device CAL
Windows Server 2019 Device CAL license grants the right to use the server functionality from one device to any number of users. To calculate the required number of User CALs, you need to calculate the number of users on the network using the server functionality.
| Client access license for one device | |||
| R18-05767 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 - License - 1 device CAL - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
User CAL
Windows Server 2019 User CAL license grants the right to use the server functionality to one user using any number of devices. To calculate the required number of User CALs, you need to calculate the number of users on the network using the server functionality.
| Client access license for one user | |||
| R18-05768 | Microsoft Windows Server 2019 - License - 1 user CAL - Open License - Single Language | N/A | |
Device CAL RDS
Windows Server 2019 Device CAL Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is purchased in addition to the Device CAL license to obtain the right to use terminal access to the server from one device to any number of users. To calculate the required number of Device CAL RDS licenses, you need to calculate the number of devices on the network that users use terminal access to the server.
| Remote Desktop Services Client Access License for one device | |||
| 6VC-03747 | Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Services 2019 - License - 1 device CAL - Open License - Win - Single Language | N/A | |
User CAL RDS
Windows Server 2019 User CAL Remote Desktop Services (RDS) license is purchased in addition to the User CAL license to obtain the right to use terminal access to the server to one user using any number of devices. To calculate the required number of User CAL RDS licenses, you need to count the number of users on the network that use terminal access to the server.
| Remote Desktop Services Client Access License for one user | |||
| 6VC-03748 | Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Services 2019 - License - 1 user CAL - Open License - Win - Single Language | N/A | |