SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

I just purchased SQL Server 2008 Web Edition, and yes, it does exist and yes it is specifically licensed for those using it for web sites on a database server. The reason I say that is that we talked to 3 Microsoft employees, none who even knew this product existed.

The SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is licensed by processers, rather than Cals or seats.

When calculating your licensing based on processors needed, a single processor license covers a single-core, dual-core and quad-core processor. This article, Maximum Number of Processors Supported by the Editions of SQL Server, explains the processor licensing.

According to the chart listed in the above article, the Web edition supports 4 processors. But just because you have a dual-core processor, does not mean you have to pay for 2 licenses. As per the chart...

"the following is considered a single processor for purposes of this table:

  • A single-core, hyper-threaded processor with 2 logical CPUs per socket.
  • A dual-core processor with 2 logical CPUs.
  • A quad-core processor with 4 logical CPUs.

SQL Server is licensed per processor socket, and not per logical CPU basis."

Learn How to buy, here. An example of licensing pricing is here. This page says:

"Web Edition

A low-TCO, scalable, and manageable database option for web hosters and end customers looking to deploy publicly facing web applications and services"

Now, the chart is very confusing... It says:

"$15 per proc
  per month (SPLA)
 Example** $3,500 "

What does that mean? No one we called at Microsoft knew. Does it mean that you somehow pay a monthly fee? We couldn't find an answer from MS. But we did purchase the product and it indeed said nothing about a subscription or monthly fee. It was just a flat fee.

We checked pricing on SQL Server 2008 Web Edition, and SoftwareMedia had the best price. However, if you go there directly the price is $3400.00. But if you search on google first, there is a link on that page that allows you to buy the same product for $3204.00.

 http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=SQL+Server+2008+Web+-+Processor+License+&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

SoftwareMedia explains the licensing, "This product is for 1 Processor License which allows an unlimited number of users to connect from either inside the local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or outside the firewall. With a processor license, you do not need to purchase additional server licenses, CALs, or Internet Connector Licenses."

I'm certainly glad Microsoft's vendors know more about the product than their sales department. LOL.

Nonetheless, if you host websites for yourself or others, this is the product you need to license.

We had installed our SQL Server 2000 on a Web Server 2000 operating system. Installing SQL Server 2008 on a Web Server 2008 operating system was more than we wanted to spend, so we installed it on a Windows Vista Ultima operating system. I hope that's good enough. We're not dba geniuses, so if you have info to share, please do.

Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2008 are here.

SQL Server 2008 Web (64-bit) x64 Requirements

SQL Server Web (32-bit) Requirements

 

13 Comments

  • I must agree, Microsoft's licensing is ridiculously confusing.

    A full processor license is £10,000+... which is just stupid for web agencies.This seems to be the answer, however I cant find anyone in the UK who is selling the web edition as of yet.

  • It's sad. Their licensing is so complicated that it's easier just to pirate it or use MySQL etc instead. How stupid is that?

  • Although I agree it's like pulling teeth to find out what you need in regards to licensing, I would never condone pirating of software or music, etc.

    But I get your point.

  • I've had a look on our SPLA list and I can't even find the Web edition on there! I will talk to our licence guy and report back.

  • I have checked the SPLA price for SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is £10.07 per month.

  • I found this on SPLA:

    http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/licensing/default.mspx

    I guess service providers can license on a monthly basis. However, we purchased the entire application, without that kind of monthly licensing.

    It appears, with a quick perusal on my part, that you have to apply for the SPLA program to get this kind of pricing.

    It makes sense considering if you are a service provider and have hundreds of boxes, you could hardly afford to pay the full price for every box.

  • here are the frequently asked questions for SPLA:

    http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/licensing/splafaq.mspx

    From there:

    What is the difference between the Services Provider License Program and Microsoft's existing volume licensing programs?
    Microsoft's Volume Licensing Programs offers several different licensing options to customers and their affiliates to purchase and acquire Microsoft software licenses for internal use. Service providers who want to offer one-stop, full-service solutions that include software licenses should use the SPLA. SPLA is the only Microsoft volume licensing program that provides for 3rd party license use rights.

  • Does the web edition of sql 2005 need to run on the same box as the as the web server or can you have you web app on a different box?

  • You asked about the web edition of 2005. I am using the 2008 web edition.

    Yes, you may have it on a different box.

    My web server and database server are on two different boxes.

  • "I have checked the SPLA price for SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is £10.07 per month."

    Where can i get an SPLA licence from??

    URGENT!!

  • Hi there,
    Does anybody know if its licensed to purchase SQL 2008 Web Edition for presenting data on the web and use SQL Server 2000 Standard instead as database server? Sadly our Database System is still under SQL 2000

    Tx

    Thomas

  • I have been searching for a vendor for this product for weeks. I can't find anyone who sells it.

    ThePlanet will sell you a copy at $25 per processor per month, but we wanted to buy it for servers on multiple data centers and the advertised price is $15 per month.

    MS channels have really got this wrong, I think noone wants to sell it because its too cheap and its monthly so the collections is a nightmare for resellers. MS should sell it direct rather than do this to its end customers.

  • Did you check out the search on google like I suggested? I'm seeing 3 vendors right there:

    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=SQL+Server+2008+Web+-+Processor+License+&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq

    Or go directly to Software media and see what they have. We purchased the flat rate price.

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