Windows Server Datacenter is a version of the Windows Server operating system that is optimized for datacenters.
Windows Server Datacenter is known for its ability to support a large number of users and devices without experiencing any downtime or performance issues, making it a valuable tool for businesses. These facilities often have high-capacity servers, storage systems, and networking equipment that are used to host websites, applications, and other digital services. Windows Server Datacenter comes with a number of features that can help you manage and secure your datacenter environment.
These include: Windows Server Datacenter includes the Hyper-V tool, which allows businesses to create and manage virtual machines within their datacenters. By running multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical server, businesses can save on hardware costs and improve resource utilization with virtualization. To help businesses more effectively manage their data, Windows Server Datacenter includes several storage features. To save on storage space, businesses can also use the Data Deduplication feature included with Windows Server Datacenter.
Security: Windows Server Datacenter includes a number of security features that can help you protect your datacenter environment. Examples of these security features include BitLocker, which encrypts data, and Advanced Threat Analytics, which helps businesses identify and address potential security threats. Now that we’ve covered some of the key benefits of Windows Server Datacenter, let’s talk about SQL Server licensing. If you plan to use SQL Server, a database management system, with your datacenter, it’s important to obtain the necessary licenses.
There are a few different licensing options to choose from, including: Under the per-core licensing option, businesses purchase a license for each physical core on their server. While per-core licensing can be a cost-effective option for businesses with a high number of cores, it may not be as economical for those with fewer cores. Server + CAL licensing: With this option, you purchase a license for each server that is running SQL Server, as well as a separate CAL (Client Access License) for each user or device that accesses the server. This option may be more flexible for businesses with a variable number of users or devices.
If you are using Windows Server Datacenter in an Azure cloud environment, you may want to consider using Azure SQL Database, a fully-managed database service based on SQL Server. Instead of purchasing individual licenses, businesses pay for the resources they use with Azure SQL Database.
Lastly, let’s address the topic of Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs. If you plan on using Remote Desktop Services (RDS) with your datacenter, you’ll need to obtain RDS CALs for each user or device accessing the service. There are two types of RDS CALs: user CALs, which permit a single user to access the service from any device, and device CALs, which allow a single device to access the service from any user.
To ensure you are obtaining the correct licenses for your business, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate your options and consult with a licensed Microsoft partner or representative.