Reference Guide

o If you have license versions more recent than 2012, you can potentially use them for
vCloud Air SQL because Software Assurance coverage confers downgrade rights.
• Calculate the number of licenses you need to cover the virtual CPUs hosting your SQL Server
instance. This calculation depends on the licensing model associated with your licenses, and any
service level agreements you have with your license vendor.
Consult your Microsoft license vendor for assistance in determining which licenses are suitable to bring
to vCloud Air SQL.
See SQL Server License Mobility and VMware® vCloud® Air™ SQL for a description of your
responsibilities. Also, see the next section, License Mobility References.
1.3.1
SQL Server License Mobility and VMware® vCloud® Air™ SQL
Microsoft SQL Server license requirements are set out in the Microsoft Product Use Rights (PUR), which
can be found on the Microsoft Website.
You are responsible for obtaining and maintaining the licenses required to support any SQL Server
instances you create using vCloud Air SQL, and for complying with all applicable Microsoft licensing
terms and policies.
VMware vCloud Air SQL provides the option to bring your own SQL Server licenses (available in Early
Access) and using licenses VMware owns (is planned for the future). Both solutions are possible because
VMware is a Microsoft Authorized Mobility Partner. VMware supports Microsoft Software Assurance,
specifically the License Mobility through Software Assurance benefit. License Mobility through Software
Assurance support can vary depending on your SQL Server editions, versions, and any service plans or
volume licensing agreements your organization has in place. All these factors affect how you can legally
use your licenses.
Fill out the Microsoft license verification form
and submit it to your license provider:
• For the "Authorized Mobility Partner Email Address" supply [e-mail]
• On Exhibit A, make the following selections:
Product:
SQL Server (Per Processor)
Edition:
Enterprise
Quantity to Deploy:
Number of database instances * 4
1.3.2
License Mobility References
The following documents discuss license mobility and Microsoft's licensing policies.
• VMware whitepaper, "Use Your Microsoft Software Licenses in the Cloud"
• Microsoft brief on "Licensing Microsoft server products in virtual environments"
• Microsoft Software Assurance Overview
• Microsoft License Mobility through Software Assurance, Customer Verification Guide
• Microsoft 2012 Server and cloud pricing and licensing page, SQL Server Virtualization Licensing
Guide
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