First, work out your license requirements for SQL Server in order to determine the most cost effective and compliant Licensing model for your requirement. We can help you with this, but I have outlined the ‘basics’ below.
SQL Server Standard Edition can be licensed via one of two models*.
1. Server + Clients (CAL)
2. Server x Processor Cores
In the Server + Client (CAL) model the minimum requirement would be for 1 Server License and 1 User or Device license.
In the Server x Cores model licences are purchased in 2 Core ‘packs’ and the minimum requirement, as defined by Microsoft, is 4 cores (2 x 2 Core Licences).
CAL’s unlike your SOLIDWORKS PDM licenses, do not float and in the Server + CAL model, the number of licenses that you require will be based on the number of distinct database connections. In effect, each user or device (whichever is the lowest number) that connects to PDM will require his or her own CAL.
For example. If you have 2 CAD Editors linked to 2 SOLIDWORKS desktops and a pack of 5 Viewers shared by 10 individuals, you would need to purchase 1 Server license, plus 12 User CAL’s. This can however be different if you have multiple users sharing devices (PCs). With the same scenario of 2 CAD Editors and a pack of 5 Viewers shared by 10 people if, instead, 4 of those people share a single PC (e.g. in the machine shop) then you would instead require a Server license, 8 User CALS and 1 Device CAL. For this reason the Server + CAL model is most suited to smaller installations where there is a fixed and known number of users and that number is not expected to exceed roughly 30 - which is the point at which a Core based license becomes more cost effective.
Ask yourself…
- Will the number of users defined in the system be greater than the PDM Licenses you are using or looking to purchase? If YES, how many Users in total will ‘connect’ to PDM?
- Will any of the Users be accessing PDM via a shared device (PC)? If so How many Devices are shared and by how many users?
As the Server + Cores model is not limited to a number of connections, it is most suitable for larger installations or those with potentially a large number of data consumers, include those potentially outside the business, using the Web Client for example.
If installing SQL Server on a Physical Server, the number of Licenses required will be based on the number of Processor Cores available to the Database Engine with a minimum of 2 packs of Licenses (4 Cores) needing to be ordered.
If installing SQL Server on a Virtual Server you can limit the Cores available to the Virtual Server, however a minimum of 4 Cores will still need to be licensed (2 x 2 Cores)
* Note: SQL Server Enterprise Edition is required for Database Replication with SOLIDWORKS PDM and this edition can only be purchased via the per processor license model.
To get a complete understanding of licencing requirements with Microsoft SQL Server please visit the Microsoft Website where you will find a Licensing Guide.