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RyanW
Asked: 2009-11-24 12:57:30 +0800 CST

Does SQL server log shipping require a 2nd SQL license [duplicate]

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Possible Duplicate:
Can you help me with my software licensing question?

I'm currently working on a high availability solution for SQL Server 2008. I have 2 servers with 1 license of standard edition SQL Server. Can you implement log shipping with just 1 license? For example if you had SQL installed on the 2nd box, but not running, and the primary server ship logs to the backup?

sql-server

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    If the SQL instance is used ONLY for purposes of receiving the log shipping (and no queries are executed against it), you do not need a second SQL license. If you use that second server for snapshot reporting or any sort of querying at all, then a license would be required.

    From the SQL Licensing FAQ: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/pricing-licensing-faq.aspx

    Q. If I am doing log shipping in an active/passive failover configuration, how should I license the backup server?

    A. In this scenario, the passive server does not require a license, unless the passive server has more processors than the active server, and the active server is licensed under the per processor model.

    And... with a pretty picture: http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2005/en/us/special-considerations.aspx#passive

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