Q: In addition to hyper-threading and dual-core technology, chip vendors are beginning to release processors with additional cores (4,8,etc.). I am currently considering purchasing a new server with multi-core processors to support a Sql Server 2005 Standard Edition deployment and am curious if, when using a 4-core processor, I will only be able to make use of a single physical CPU (since Standard Edition is limited to 4 CPUs)? Additionally, what is the overall licensing policy in relation to multi-core technologies with Sql Server 2005?
A: One key competitive licensing advantage of Sql Server is related to this exact question - for the purposes of both licensing and CPU edition support, Sql Server considers the number of physical sockets/CPUs, regardless of the number of cores on the processor. So, for example, if you are planning to deploy Sql Server 2005 Standard, which supports up to 4 CPUs, that means Standard Edition will support 4 physical CPU sockets, regardless of the number of cores in each CPU (if you have 4 physical CPUs with 4-cores each, your Standard Edition deployment would have 16 logical CPUs to make use of). Additionally, even though you have 16 cores/logical CPUs, the licensing of this requires that you pay for only the 4 physical CPUs, not all 16 cores (quite a deal huh?).
For more information on Sql Server and Multicore licensing, see the following article: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/multicore.mspx
Chad Boyd
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About Chad Boyd
Chad is an Architect, Administrator, and Developer with technologies such as Sql Server (and all related technologies), Windows Server, and Windows Clustering. He currently works as an independent consultant and also spends a significant amount of time writing, talking, presenting and blogging about Sql Server in person and online at http://mssqltips.com. In the past, Chad has worked with companies and organizations such as Microsoft Corporation and The American Red Cross, and provided consulting/support services at companies such as Bank of America, HP, Citigroup, Qualcomm, Scottrade, TJX, SunTrust, and Zurich Financial Services. For over 3 years with Microsoft Corporation Chad was responsible for providing onsite and remote support, guidance, and advice with SQL Server products to some of Microsoft’s foremost enterprise customers running the largest, most complex SQL Server installations and configurations in the world. This included all SQL Server products and versions, including SQL Server 7.0, 2000, 2005, and recently 2008, the SQL Server database engine, Reporting Services, SSIS/DTS, Notification Services, and Analysis Services on both 32 and 64 bit systems. Chad's primary responsibilities today include troubleshooting critical server situations, performance tuning and monitoring, disaster recovery planning and execution, architectural guidance for new Sql Server related deployments, and delivering deep technical workshops/presentations/proof-of-concept sessions covering a variety of technologies and functionality. Chad regularly posts Sql Server related content, tools, and advice with the mssqltips team at http://blogs.mssqltips.com/blogs and http://mssqltips.com. Chad can be contacted via his blog or email at chad dot boyd dot tips at gmail dot com.
