Licensing Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition

The Microsoft SQL Server is available with a Server+CAL (Client Access License) or a Core (for each CPU core) license.

Purchased Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition runtime licenses from FlowChief GmbH can only be operated for FlowChief databases. If the same SQL server should be operated for other applications, a Microsoft Core license must be purchased, which can not be provided by FlowChief GmbH.

The runtime license operates with the Server+CAL license model. Additionally, CALs are required for users and device that access the system. Indirect accesses to the FlowChief system should also be considered. User and device CALs can not be combined. Runtime licenses provided by FlowChief GmbH do not include the Microsoft Software Assurance. This is why a license mobility between servers is not available.

NoteA core license can not be purchased via the FlowChief GmbH!

Runtime licenses, such as provided by the FlowChief GmbH, are only available as Server+CAL license and not as core license.

Runtime licenses provided by FlowChief GmbH are offered within the license generation Microsoft SQL Server 2025. The license generation differentiates from the technical release of the SQL server version for the FlowChief system.

SQL Server 2025 will be released initially with FlowChief version 9.0 and will be integrated in the FlowChief setup.

Until the new release, Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition should be implemented for new installations, extensions and updates. The purchased SQL Server 2025 runtime license will be applied according to Microsoft downgrade rights.

Therefor SQL Server 2025 should not be operated in productive FlowChief systems until FlowChief version 9.0 has been released.

SQL Server 2025 can be applied as of FlowChief version 9.0, according to the valid FlowChief system requirements. Details on upgrade processes from existing SQL server versions will be released with the new version.

Server license

Licenses are provided for each server with Microsoft SQL-Server operation. Additionally, access licenses such as User CALs or Device CALs are required.

CPUs, cores of the server are not considered with a server license. It's irrelevant it a server is operated physically or virtual.

CAL license

Additionally to the server license, further access license are required - the so called CAL's. These are available as User CAL (per user) or as device CAL (per device). A combination is not possible.

  • User CAL (license per user)

    • User CALS licenses each user that has an access direct or indirect. It is irrelevant from which device the user has access.

    • Please note, that indirect access must also be licensed. Not only the technical database user of the application must be licensed, but also each user that has access to the FlowChief application.

  • Device CAL (license per device)

    • Each device that is connected directly or indirectly must be licensed with a Device CAL.

    • When operating the FlowChief application, each devices with access will require a Device CAL.

The Core license does not require server licenses or access licenses (= CALs). This means a random number of users and devices can access directly or indirectly.

Each physical or virtual process core must be licensed. A minimum of 4 CPU cores must be licensed. Core licenses can be purchased in 2-packs.

Each Microsoft SQL Server license must be assigned to a physical server. The assignment must exist for a minimum of 90 days, before the license can be assigned to a new server. If a Microsoft SQL-Server is virtual, this period may not be applicable - especially when operating a cluster with multiple servers. A Microsoft license mobiltiy can be a solution in this case. This requires a software assureance contract with Microsoft.

ATTENTIONA software assurance is not available for the runtime license provided by the FlowChief GmbH!

Server+CAL License

The operation of a FlowChief redundcy cluster system (AlwaysOn Availability Basic Group) requires a server licence for both servers. CAL's are only required for each user or device.

Core License

If a core license is required, only the server with the most cores will be licensed and a software assurance with Microsoft is mandatory.