Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Standard 2 Core + Software Assurance - Download License

SKU: 7NQ-00162 (with downgrade rights to 2022 and below)

You will need to purchase a minimum of 2x 2 Core licenses to meet Microsoft’s minimum requirement of 4 cores per SQL server installation.

Why Choose SQL Server 2025 Standard?

Stay on Standard, Scale Like Enterprise. Many companies were forced to upgrade to the Enterprise Edition (costing 4x more) simply because they hit the 128GB RAM limit. With SQL Server 2025, those companies can now double their performance while staying on the much more affordable Standard Edition license.

Key Enhancements Over SQL Server 2022:

• 100% Increase in Memory (RAM): SQL Server 2025 Standard now supports up to 256GB of RAM per instance
• 33% More Compute Power (Cores): The core limit has been raised to 32 Cores (up from 24 cores in SQL 2022)
  
• Enterprise Resource Management: For the first time, Resource Governor is included in the Standard Edition
• Modern Data & AI Capabilities: Built-in Vector Data Types
• Improved Management Tools: SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and Azure Data Studio have been further refined in SQL Server 2025.
• Simplified Upgrades and Migrations: SQL Server 2022 includes enhanced tools and support for easier upgrades and migrations from previous SQL Server versions, reducing downtime and complexity during the transition.
• One-Click Fabric Mirroring: Near real-time data replication to Microsoft Fabric

SQL Server 2022 Standard vs SQL Server 2025 Standard Comparison

Licensing Models

• Core-based Licensing: Applies to the Standard and Enterprise Edition. This option offers unlimited Virtualization Rights when all physical cores are licensed.
• Server + CAL (Client Access License): Applies to the Standard Edition and requires a license for each server and a CAL for each user or device accessing the server.

Core-Based Licensing (Standard and Enterprise Editions)

+--------------------+
|      SERVER        |
|--------------------|
|   Core 1 | Core 2  |
|   Core 3 | Core 4  |
+--------------------+
| Minimum 4 Core Licenses per Processor |
        

• Core Licenses: Sold in packs of two. Each physical core must have a license.
• Minimum Requirement: A minimum of four core licenses per physical processor.
• Virtualization: With Software Assurance, allows for unlimited virtualization. This license is a retail pack with 2 cores without SA, so the virtualization will depend upon the number of vCPU's licensed. Looking for the SA edition? It can be purchased here

Server + CAL Licensing (Standard Edition)

• Server License: One license per server.
• CALs: One CAL per user or device accessing the server.

Virtualization and Containers

+----------------------------+
|           HOST             |
+----------------------------+
| VM 1 | VM 2 | VM 3 | VM 4  |
+----------------------------+
| Each VM must be licensed   |
+----------------------------+
        

• Enterprise Edition: Offers flexibility with virtualization, allowing for multiple VMs and containers.
• Standard Edition: Limited to a lower number of VMs and containers unless each VM is licensed individually.

Licensing for Specific Environments

• Non-production (Dev/Test): Developer Edition is free and provides the full feature set for development and testing purposes.
• High Availability: Passive secondary servers for failover are included in the licensing of the primary server.

• Please note: You will need to purchase a minimum of 2x 2 Core licenses to meet Microsoft’s minimum requirement of 4 cores per SQL server installation.

Delivery, Returns & Tech Support: 

1. All orders placed before 2PM PST M-F (excluding holidays) will be fulfilled the same day.
2. 30-day return policy on most licenses if unused/unregistered.
3. Questions about licensing or what to purchase? Call/text/email or chat with us!

Thank you for choosing ESS!