Designed for businesses that demand the highest levels of reliability, scalability, and large-scale virtualization, Windows Server 2008 Datacenter enables mission-critical solutions for databases, ERP, high volume real-time transaction processing, and server consolidation. Its unlimited virtualization rights allow for significantly extending the savings customers can realize through server consolidation on the Windows Server platform on small and large servers.
The x86/32-bit and x64/64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 Datacenter are available through Volume Licensing agreements from Microsoft resellers and account managers, as well as through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Servers equipped with the optional Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program are only available through OEMs.
Licensing Model
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter is licensed by the processor plus Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs). Servers with Windows Server Standard or Enterprise licenses covered by Software Assurance can be “stepped up” to a Windows Server Datacenter Edition processor license to take advantage of its unlimited virtualization rights. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter can be purchased through Volume Licensing directly from Microsoft or resellers, or from OEMs preinstalled on servers. The Datacenter High Availability Program is only available through OEMs.
The maximum server license is 64 processors for the 32-bit version, with each partition capable of supporting a maximum of 32 processors. The 64-bit version of Datacenter Edition can be licensed for 128-way systems, with each partition capable of supporting a maximum of 64 processors.
Note that partitioning of a Datacenter system is supported logically at a licensing level and physical level. In other words, you are not required to obtain more Datacenter Edition server licenses than the total number of processors on that server. You are entitled to have multiple copies of Datacenter Edition on a single machine.
Unlimited Virtualization Rights
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter licenses include unlimited virtualization rights, meaning customers have the use rights to run an unlimited number of virtualized instances of Windows Server on processors licensed with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without purchasing additional licenses. The use rights also allow the choice of running Windows Server 2008 (or previous version) Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter in the virtual instances. In addition to Windows Server and Microsoft Virtual Server, the use rights apply to any virtualization technology or host operating system, although they may need to be acquired, licensed, and supported separately from third-parties.
The unlimited virtualization rights significantly simplify the licensing of Windows Server for large-scale virtualization and make it more affordable for enterprises to consolidate on the Windows Server Platform.
Maintenance
In addition to more software licensing options, Windows Server 2008 Datacenter has Software Assurance as an option for upgrades and maintenance.
Software Assurance
Microsoft Software Assurance, a maintenance offer that can be purchased for a specific period of time, helps your organization get the most from Microsoft software through a broad range of benefits, including product support and software upgrades. Datacenter Edition licenses covered by Software Assurance will receive the upgrade to Windows Server 2008 Datacenter and future versions at no additional cost when the versions are released while the licenses have active Software Assurance coverage.
Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program
Qualified OEMs offer support and service options to customers through the Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program. This program provides customers with a list of qualified server configurations that have been thoroughly tested and have proven to be highly reliable. The Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program provides the support customers need to ensure maximum uptime for their applications.
The Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program has a unique support and services model built for customers with mission critical server requirements and consists of the following components:
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, Enterprise or for Itanium-based Systems pre-installed
Qualified Datacenter Configurations that have been tested and shown to be highly reliable
Change management and control processes
High Availability Support Program to ensure maximum uptime for their applications
Servers with the Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program option have been found in a study to have 99.996% planned uptime.
Note: Software Assurance is available only through Volume Licensing agreements but may be added to OEM licenses within 90 days of purchase.
Pricing
The estimated retail price for Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition is $2999 per processor. Pricing information for the Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program is available through your qualified OEM.
