SQL Server and Volume Licensing Programs

Large and midsize organizations buy SQL Server licenses and upgrade rights through Microsoft’s volume license programs, rather than through OEM or retail channels. (See the sidebar “Downsides to OEM and Retail SQL Server Purchases“.) Volume licensing programs enable organizations to buy licenses in bulk at lower prices, with the broadest rights, such as generous license reassignment and downgrade rights.

Software Assurance

Software Assurance (SA), which can be purchased only through a volume licensing program, can be added to a license for an annual fee in return for product upgrades and other benefits. Licenses covered by SA on the date a new product version becomes available may be upgraded to the new version at any time in the future, at no additional charge. For example, a server license for SQL Server covered by SA on May 1, 2010 (the day SQL Server 2008 R2 officially became available), can be upgraded to SQL Server 2008 R2 at any time, even if the customer later lets the SA subscription lapse. (Service packs and patches for SQL Server and most other products are free and do not require SA.)