When Windows Server Datacenter pays off
Windows Server Datacenter and Standard share the same core-based licensing model. The decisive difference lies in the permitted virtualization: while Standard covers two virtual instances per license, Datacenter allows an unlimited number. For environments with high VM density, this is the economically decisive point.
Datacenter pays off as soon as the number of virtual machines per host becomes so high that repeated Standard licensing would cost more than a single Datacenter license. In addition, Datacenter offers features that are relevant in heavily virtualized or software-defined data centers.
What Datacenter offers beyond Standard
- Unlimited virtual instances. Per licensed server, with no surcharge per additional VM.
- Features for software-defined data centers. Datacenter includes advanced storage and networking features that become relevant in large environments.
- Cost-effective from high VM density onward. The advantage unfolds as soon as many virtual machines run on the same host.
- CALs still required. Datacenter also requires CALs for each accessing user or device.