Windows Server 2016 Licensing Changes

Generally available as of Oct. 2016, Windows Server 2016 licenses servers based on cores rather than processors, uses technical features to differentiate between Datacenter and Standard editions, and introduces new Software Assurance (SA) dependencies. Over time these changes will likely increase server licensing costs, in part by shifting purchases to Datacenter edition, as well as impact hardware specifications and equipment upgrade schedules, the timing of new license purchases, and SA renewal decisions. While the significance of each change may vary by customer, most will find at least one relevant change.

Servers Licensed by Cores

Windows Server requires purchase of both client-side and server-side licenses. Client-side licenses—called Client Access Licenses (CALs)—provide the right for users or end-user devices to access servers, and server-side licenses provide the right to run the software on a physical server. With Windows Server 2016, client-side licensing (such as CAL requirements, types, and pricing) remains mostly the same, but server-side licensing changes dramatically, moving from a processor- to a core-based licensing model.