Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Software Licenses

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 has transitioned to core-based licensing for both Standard and Datacenter editions. Core-based licensing provides a more consistent licensing metric across multi-cloud environments and improves workload portability for Windows Server. It also helps remove friction across different licensing models.

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Essentials Edition - For small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Follows a processor-based model and does not require additional CALs. Essentials is a good option for customers that previously used Foundation edition.

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition - For low density or non-virtualized environments. Includes rights to two Operating System Environments (OSEs, or virtual machines) or Hyper-V containers. Follows a core-based licensing model and requires additional User or Device CALs. For every two additional VMs, all the cores in the server have to be licensed again.

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition - For highly virtualized datacenter and cloud environments. Includes rights for unlimited OSEs and Hyper-V containers. Follows a core-based licensing model and requires additional User or Device CALs. Features exclusive to Datacenter includes Shielded Virtual Machines, software-defined networking, Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica.

Core-based Licensing Basics:

• All physical cores in the server must be licensed. Servers are licensed based on the number of processor cores in the physical server.
• A minimum of 16 core licenses (8 x 2-core packs) is required for each server.
• A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor.
• Additional User or Device CALs are required.