Hello Dev! If you’re looking into purchasing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition, you may be wondering about the cost and what it includes. In this article, we’ll break down all the information you need to know about SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition price, licensing, features, and more. Let’s get started!
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition Price Overview
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is one of the most popular database management systems used by businesses of all sizes. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities to help organizations store, manage, and analyze their data. But how much does it cost?
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition License |
Price |
|---|---|
1 Processor License |
$3,717 |
Server/CAL License |
$898 per server + $209 per CAL |
Core-Based License |
$3,717 per 2 cores (4 cores minimum) |
The cost of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition varies depending on the type of license you choose. You can either purchase a processor license, a server/CAL license, or a core-based license. Let’s take a closer look at each option.
Processor License
A processor license is based on the number of physical processors that will be used by the SQL Server instance. The cost of a processor license for SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is $3,717 per license. This license is ideal for organizations that plan to run SQL Server on a single server with multiple processors.
For example, if your organization has a server with 2 processors, you will need to purchase 2 processor licenses, which will cost you $7,434.
Server/CAL License
A server/CAL license is based on the number of servers that will run SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition and the number of client access licenses (CALs) required for each user or device that will access the server. The cost of a server/CAL license for SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is $898 per server plus $209 per CAL.
This license is ideal for organizations that have a large number of users or devices that need to access SQL Server, but do not need to run it on multiple servers.
Core-Based License
A core-based license is based on the number of cores that will be used by the SQL Server instance. The cost of a core-based license for SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is $3,717 per 2 cores, with a minimum of 4 cores required per processor. This license is ideal for organizations that plan to run SQL Server on multiple servers with varying numbers of processors.
For example, if your organization has a server with 8 cores, you will need to purchase 4 core-based licenses, which will cost you $14,868.
Licensing SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition
In addition to the cost of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition, you also need to consider licensing requirements. SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition can be licensed under two models:
- Server/CAL (Client Access License) model
- Core-based licensing model
Server/CAL Model
The Server/CAL model requires a server license for each server on which SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is installed. In addition, a CAL is required for each user or device that accesses the server. CALs can be assigned to specific users or devices, or they can be shared among users and devices.
The server/CAL model is typically less expensive than the core-based licensing model for organizations with a small number of users or devices that need to access SQL Server.
Core-Based Licensing Model
The Core-Based licensing model requires a license for each physical or virtual core on which SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is installed. This licensing model does not require CALs. Instead, each license covers a specific number of cores, and there is a minimum requirement for each processor. This licensing model is typically more cost-effective for organizations with a large number of users or devices that need to access SQL Server.
Features of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition offers a wide range of features and capabilities to help organizations manage and analyze their data. Here are some of the key features included in SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition:
- High availability and disaster recovery
- Data warehousing and business intelligence
- Security and compliance
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Cloud-ready capabilities
Let’s take a closer look at each of these features.
High Availability and Disaster Recovery
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition includes several features to help organizations maintain the availability of their data in the event of a failure. These features include database mirroring, log shipping, and always-on availability groups.
Database mirroring allows you to create a mirror of your database on another server, which can be used for failover in the event of a failure. Log shipping allows you to automatically backup and restore transaction logs to a secondary server. Always-on availability groups allow you to create a group of databases that can fail over together.
Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition includes several features to help organizations manage and analyze their data. These features include data warehousing and business intelligence tools, such as columnstore indexes, data compression, and in-memory analytics. These tools can help organizations improve the performance of their data analytics and reporting.
Security and Compliance
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition includes several features to help organizations protect their data and comply with industry regulations. These features include encryption, auditing, and user-defined roles and permissions.
Advanced Analytics and Reporting
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition includes several features to help organizations analyze their data and create reports. These features include data mining, predictive analytics, and advanced reporting tools.
Cloud-Ready Capabilities
SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition includes several features to help organizations take advantage of cloud computing. These features include support for Microsoft Azure, hybrid cloud scenarios, and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) for cloud-based ETL (extract, transform, load) operations.
FAQ about SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition Price
Here are some frequently asked questions about SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition price:
Q: What is the difference between SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition and SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition?
A: SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition includes all the features of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition, as well as several additional features, such as online indexing, partitioning, and data-driven subscriptions. Enterprise Edition is typically more expensive than Standard Edition.
Q: Can I use SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition on a virtual machine?
A: Yes, you can use SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition on a virtual machine. However, you will need to purchase a separate license for each virtual machine that runs SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition.
Q: Is there a free version of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition?
A: No, there is not a free version of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition. However, Microsoft does offer a free edition of SQL Server called SQL Server Express, which is ideal for small businesses and developers.
Q: Can I upgrade from an earlier version of SQL Server to SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition?
A: Yes, you can upgrade from an earlier version of SQL Server to SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition. However, you will need to purchase a new license for SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition is a powerful database management system that offers a wide range of features and capabilities. The cost of SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition varies depending on the type of license you choose, but it is a worthwhile investment for organizations that need to store, manage, and analyze their data effectively. If you have any further questions about SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition price or licensing, don’t hesitate to reach out to Microsoft or a licensed reseller for more information.