SBS 2003 Premium Edition - processor issue

ThirdEye · 21 Sep 2006 at 08:52

Hi all, can anybody clarify for me whether there are any licensing issues regarding the Xeon processors. Specifically, I understand that a server with 2 Intel Xeon processors is ok as SBS sees this as 4 processors which is within licensing alowances. However, I've been told that 2 x Dual Core Intel Xeon processors would be seen as 8 processors by SBS and therefore would not be within the licensing allowances and SBS wouldn't work.

I would like to know what the answer is to this as Ideally I'd like to get a new server with the dual core Xeons. Had a look on micorsoft's site but didn't have any joy.

ThirdEye · 21 Sep 2006 at 09:09

After some more continued searching on microsoft I've found the following info in KB 909382:

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"Windows Small Business Server 2003 supports a maximum of two physical processors, even if the processors are multicore or hyper-threaded.

For example, if you use two dual-core processors, each physical processor contains two cores. Therefore, four virtual processors are available. Windows Small Business Server 2003 will recognize and support all four virtual processors.

Similarly, if you use two dual-core, hyper-threaded processors, eight virtual processors are available. Windows Small Business Server 2003 will recognize and support all eight virtual processors. "
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Am I right in thinking therefore that a dual core Xeon 5050 would be seen as 2 physical processors with 2 cores = 4 but due to hyperthreading would then be seen as 8? Further, that SBS 2003 would utilise all 8 virtual/physical processors.

Many thanks in advance.

stoofa · 21 Sep 2006 at 10:14

Forget about how many cores your CPU's have for a minute.
Forget about Hyperthreading - put all of that out of your mind.

Now, how many physical processors are inside this machine?
Again, forget how many cores you've got, forget how many virtual cores you've got, forget about how many of these cores hyperthread.
SBS only cares (from a licensing point of view) about this.

So you've got two physical CPU's - this is covered by the license, so yes, SBS will see both CPU's.
Now how loaded up they are doesn't matter - if they are both dual-core hyperthreading CPU's then yes you'll see 8 virtual CPU's under Task Manager.

ThirdEye · 21 Sep 2006 at 13:46

Great - many thanks for replying, that's settled that then! Next question is, how many physical processors can I go up to (unlikely I'll go beyond 2 but you never know!)?

stoofa · 21 Sep 2006 at 14:04

With SBS you are limited to two physical processors - as per your copy & paste near the beginning of the thread.

If you move to "Server 2003" in the future that would allow you to go for 4 physical CPU's and then onto Enterprise edition for no restriction.
So with Server 2003 you could have 4x Dual Core, HT CPU's giving you 16 virtual processors.
Of course HT is old hat, so I doubt any future machine you guy will use it.