Are you looking for information about the pricing of Windows Server 2022 and the available licensing options for your company? The price of Windows Server 2022 licenses is a crucial aspect to consider when planning your IT infrastructure. Whether you choose the Standard or Datacenter edition, it is essential to understand the price structure and the different licensing models to optimize your IT budget.
In this guide, we discuss the key aspects of the Windows Server 2022 pricing model. You will learn about the specifications of licenses for physical and virtual environments, as well as the purchase and implementation options available. This will enable you to make informed decisions to set up a powerful and cost-effective server infrastructure that complies with Microsoft's licensing rules. Additionally, we explain how you can significantly save on the purchase of Windows Server 2022 and the associated CALs.
Price Structure of Windows Server 2022
Here is an overview of the price structure of Windows Server 2022:
Base Prices per Edition
Microsoft offers three main editions of Windows Server 2022, each with a different licensing model and price:
Edition | Ideal for | Licensing Model | MSRP (PDSF) |
Datacenter | Data centers and highly virtualized cloud environments | Based on Cores | $6,155 for 16 Cores |
Standard | Physical or lightly virtualized environments | Based on Cores | $1,069 for 16 Cores |
Essentials | Small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices | Specialized servers (server license) | $501 |
Prices may vary by country. It is noteworthy that there are ways to save on the purchase of Windows Server. A commonly used option is to purchase Pre-Owned Microsoft licenses; these licenses have been previously used and are tradeable under certain conditions. Softtrader specializes in Pre-Owned Microsoft licenses and has helped over 1,500 companies save on the purchase of Microsoft licenses. Request a free quote to find out how much you can save this way.
Additional Costs (CAL Support)
In addition to the base price of the licenses, the following additional costs should be considered:
- Client Access Licenses (CALs): For the Standard and Datacenter editions, CALs are required for each user or device accessing the server. This represents an additional cost.
- Support and Maintenance: Microsoft support contracts, such as Software Assurance, incur additional costs but offer benefits such as access to updates and technical support.
- Server Hardware: The costs for physical servers or cloud infrastructure needed to run Windows Server 2022 should also be included in the total budget.
In summary, the price of Windows Server 2022 depends on the chosen edition, the number of Cores/users, and any support and hardware costs. A thorough analysis of your organization's needs will help you optimize licensing costs.
Saving Money on CALs
Purchasing CALs for Windows Server 2022 can quickly add up, especially for medium to large organizations. Fortunately, there are ways to save on these costs. For instance, it is possible to purchase Pre-owned Windows Server 2022 CALs. These licenses have been previously used but are tradeable under certain conditions. Softtrader has been legally selling Pre-Owned Microsoft licenses for over 10 years, helping companies save up to 70% on costs.
Windows Server Licenses for Physical Environments
When implementing Windows Server 2022 on physical servers, you must purchase licenses based on the number of physical processor cores in the server. All physical Cores of each processor must be licensed, with a minimum of 8 Cores per processor and 16 Cores per server.
Calculating the Number of Required Licenses
Follow these steps to determine the number of Windows Server licenses required:
- Count the number of physical Cores per processor.
- Multiply the number of Cores by the number of processors.
- Divide the total by 2 (licenses are sold in packs of 2 and 16 Cores).
- Round to the nearest even number.
- Ensure you meet the minimum licensing requirements (8 Cores per processor, 16 Cores per server).
For example, for a server with 2 processors, each with 8 Cores, you need 16 licenses (8 packs of 2 Cores).
Optimizing Costs for Physical Servers
To optimize your licensing costs for physical servers, you can:
- Choose the right edition of Windows Server that fits your needs (Standard or Datacenter) depending on your level of virtualization.
- Consolidate your workloads on fewer physical servers to reduce the number of required licenses.
- Consider using pre-owned licenses or subscription licenses for favorable rates.
Keep in mind that Client Access Licenses (CALs) are also required for each user or device accessing the Windows Server services, in addition to the server licenses.
By understanding the core-based licensing model and optimizing your infrastructure, you can manage Windows Server licensing costs while benefiting from the advanced features of Windows Server 2022.
Windows Server Licenses for Virtual Environments
When implementing Windows Server 2022 in virtual environments, choosing the right edition and licensing model is essential for optimizing costs and flexibility. Here are some key points to consider:
Benefits of the Datacenter Edition for Virtualization
The Datacenter edition of Windows Server 2022 is ideal for highly virtualized environments. It allows you to run an unlimited number of virtual machines when all physical Cores of the host are licensed. This provides great flexibility for creating and managing virtual instances without worrying about licensing limitations.
Additionally, the Datacenter edition includes advanced features such as software-defined networking, software-defined storage, and storage replication, which are especially useful in large-scale virtual environments.
Cost Considerations for Virtual Machines
When choosing a licensing model for virtual machines in Windows Server, it is important to evaluate costs based on your level of virtualization:
- For lightly virtualized environments (up to 10 virtual machines per host), the Standard edition with core-based licensing may be more cost-effective. You can allocate additional licenses to the host server to run more virtual machines.
- For highly virtualized environments (more than 10 virtual machines per host), the Datacenter edition with core-based licensing is usually more economical. One Datacenter license covers an unlimited number of virtual machines on the host.
The new licensing model per individual virtual OSE, introduced with Windows Server 2022, allows you to assign licenses directly to virtual machines, independent of the host. This model can offer significant savings but requires active Software Assurance.
In summary, the Datacenter edition is the preferred solution for large-scale virtual environments, while the Standard edition may be suitable for smaller deployments. Analyzing costs based on your level of virtualization and exploring the licensing model per individual virtual OSE will help you optimize your investment in Windows Server licenses for your virtual workloads.
Purchase and Implementation Options
Windows Server 2022 offers various purchase and implementation options to meet your company's specific needs. Whether you want to buy licenses through Microsoft resellers or implement Windows Server on-premises or in the Azure cloud, there are solutions available to fit your infrastructure and budget.
Purchase through Softtrader
Softtrader specializes in buying and selling Pre-Owned Microsoft licenses. This means that Softtrader sells licenses that have been previously used. These licenses work the same as new software licenses; software does not wear out. When you choose Microsoft Windows Server 2022 and the associated CALs, you can save up to 70% compared to new licenses. Request a free quote and find out how much you can save!
Purchase through Microsoft Resellers
Microsoft offers various purchase options for Windows Server 2022 through its network of authorized resellers. You can buy OEM Windows Server licenses pre-installed on new server hardware or choose the HPE Reseller Option Kit (ROK) distribution model. This latter option allows resellers to offer HPE ROK licenses with new HPE servers, along with additional services and products.
Client Access Licenses (CALs) for users, devices, and Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are also required, depending on the usage profile. A user CAL applies to an individual user accessing the server, while a device CAL offers flexibility to legitimate users.
On-Premises vs. Azure Cloud Implementation
Windows Server 2022 can be implemented on physical servers in your data center or in the Azure cloud. On-premises implementation offers complete control over your infrastructure and is suitable for environments that require high performance and low latency.
Azure implementation, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and scalability. The Azure edition of Windows Server 2022 Datacenter is specially designed to leverage cloud benefits, with advanced features such as SMB over QUIC, Hotpatch, and Azure Extended Networking.
Whichever option you choose, Windows Server 2022 provides a secure platform for running your critical workloads. Carefully evaluate your performance, security, and budget needs to determine the best implementation approach for your business.
Conclusion
In summary, understanding the pricing and licensing options of Windows Server 2022 is essential for optimizing your IT infrastructure. Whether you implement Windows Server on physical servers or in virtual environments, there are solutions available to fit your needs and budget. By choosing the right edition, calculating the number of required licenses, and exploring various purchase and implementation options, you can set up a powerful and cost-effective server infrastructure.
Do not hesitate to contact your Microsoft representative or an authorized reseller for personalized advice and a specific quote for your company. With a good understanding of the Windows Server 2022 licensing model, you can make informed decisions to make the most of this powerful server platform while keeping licensing costs under control.
