Businesses of all sizes need an operating system (OS) and servers that work together to provide a secure, efficient, and flexible foundation for success. HPE and Microsoft have partnered for years to provide the streamlined experiences customers need to succeed. Thatโs the main reason we recommend pairing Windows Server with HPE ProLiant Gen 10 servers. However, there are many different licensing options available for Windows Server, with new options available for Windows Server 2022. Hereโs a quick guide on the options available.
Types of Windows Server licenses
In general, Windows Server software licenses fall into three categories:
- Retail licensing: Retail licenses are generally sold prepackaged, and they may be the most expensive option. Customers are typically home users or small businesses.
- Volume licensing: Microsoft volume licenses are available from Microsoft licensing resellers in many countries. Volume licenses generally cost more than OEM licenses but may be purchased separately from hardware and offer additional flexibility for larger companies with more complex IT requirements.
- OEM licensing: OEM licenses are available from HPE when buying a new server. They typically offer the best price, and HPE Support Services are available. They are also available as reseller option kit (ROK) licenses, which resellers can offer in combination with HPE server systems and any other additional services and products they offer.
HPE OEM Windows Server licenses available from HPE
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Microsoft license purchase options |
From HPE factory: preinstalled and not preinstalled (OEM) |
From HPE authorized distributors and resellers (ROK) |
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Who can buy? |
End user or reseller |
Reseller only |
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Terms and restrictions |
ยท HPE OEM preinstalled (FIO), not preinstalled (FIO Npi) or Reseller Option Kit (ROK) licenses may only be marketed and sold to an end user along with a new HPE server. ยท End users cannot move OEM licenses from the server, unless Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) is added or reassignment rights are specified within the product terms, also known as end user license agreement (EULA) of the product. For example, Windows Server Datacenter with reassignment rights. Note that an HPE OEM license is covered by the same HPE warranty or service terms that cover the HPE server which it accompanies. |
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Microsoft Software Assurance available? |
Yes, it must be purchased separately from an authorized Microsoft licensing reseller within 90 days of initial license purchase. Itโs important to highlight that only licenses for the latest version of each product family are eligible for Software Assurance. |
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HPE licenses available for Windows Server
Base licenses
- Windows Server 2019 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter edition: hpe.com/servers/ws2019
- Windows Server 2022 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter edition: hpe.com/servers/ws2022
Additional licenses
Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 Standard and Datacenter edition base licenses cover up to 16 cores. For systems with more than 16 cores, additional licenses are required and available in increments of two, four, and 16 cores.
- Standard edition: Standard edition provides rights for up to two operating system environments (OSEs) or Hyper-V containers when all physical cores in the server are licensed. For every two additional virtual machines (VMs), all the cores in the server must be licensed again. For license coverage beyond the 16 cores covered by the base OS license, or to license additional VMsโHPE additional licenses for Windows Server 2019 Standard and Windows Server 2022 Standard can be purchased with new hardware or after point of sale (APOS).
- Datacenter edition: Datacenter edition permits unlimited virtual OS instances and Hyper-V containers when all physical cores in the server are licensed. Datacenter additional licenses can only be purchased with hardware, they are not available for APOS purchase.
Please note that additional licenses generally need to be of the same OS generation as the base license they are added to. For example, Windows Server 2022 Standard pairs with Windows Server 2022 Standard additional licenses.
In case you still have questions, leave a comment or explore these other resources:
MassimilianoG
Digital Marketing Lead at HPE Alliances. Managing Coffee Coaching, the HPE-Microsoft reseller community with all the news about SMB.
