SQL server Licensing Per Core , not using all cores

• Gil_Adi

  SSCommitted

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  February 21, 2013 at 7:28 am

  #274460

  I am planing a New Server with one sqlserver 2008 r2 instance

  The CPU of the server will have 6 cores

  Is the affinity of the CPU at the ssms Instance properties enables to limit the SQL server to use only 4 of the cores

  and by that save me the need to purchase license for all of the cores ?

  if not what is the way to limit the sql server to use only 4 of the 6 cores ?

• Robert Klimes

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  February 21, 2013 at 8:36 am

  #1590000

  SQL server 2008 R2 licensing is per processor, not per core SQL Server 2008 r2 Licensing guide. SQL Server 2012 is per core licensing.

  As to you question about processor affinity. I am pretty sure this wouldn't negate the need to buy a core license for all core if you were on 2012. checkout this video (http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2012/12/dont-touch-that-button-four-dangerous-settings-in-sql-server-video/). Kendra give a good explanation of processor affinity.

  Bob
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