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Enterprise-grade performance with core-based licensing and unlimited virtualization rights for modern, highly virtualized data centers.
Note: Client Access Licenses (CALs) are required for users or devices accessing the server.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| License type | Per core (24 total cores) |
| Virtualization rights | Unlimited OSEs and containers on licensed server |
| Activation | AVMA, KMS supported |
| CAL requirement | User or Device CALs required for access |
| Best for | Highly virtualized, multi-tenant, and hybrid environments |
Align licensing with actual core counts per physical server or license per VM for granular deployments.
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter uses a core-based model. You can license based on all physical cores on the server or per virtual machine, depending on your deployment. Licensing all physical cores grants unlimited virtualization rights on that host.
When all physical cores of a server are licensed with Datacenter, you have rights to run unlimited Operating System Environments (OSEs) and Windows Server Containers (with or without Hyper‑V isolation) on that licensed server.
Yes. Client Access Licenses (CALs) are required for each user or device accessing Windows Server, regardless of whether you license by physical cores or per VM.
Yes. Datacenter includes AVMA, which simplifies activation of guest VMs when they run on properly licensed Datacenter Hyper‑V hosts.
A 24-core license covers 24 physical cores. Ensure you license the actual physical core count per server. For servers with more cores, add additional core packs; for fewer, ensure minimum licensing rules are met per Microsoft guidelines.
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