SQL Enterprise Edition Licensing

[ASE001]

If I have system with 40 CPU cores and use SQL 2008R2 Enterprise Edition which is limited to 8 CPU cores. Can you use 8 different CPU cores for each individual SQL instance on that server, if this is the case then do I only have to license 8 cores or multiples of 8?

I know on SQL 2012 licensing you pay for cores which is not core limited, I know SQL 2012 licensing now applies to previous editions too. But under SQL2008R2 Enterprise Edition it is limited to 8 cores, so the max cores to license can only be 8, regardless of the CPUs in the system?

 

[Dogers]

I don't believe 2008R2 was core limited, that came in with 2012. 2008R2 and earlier had processor licenses which I can find no reference for a core limit - the only limit I can see is for 8 processors/sockets before needing datacenter edition.

Your best bet is to ring up a proper enterprise reseller (don't know if I can name any here?) or even to ring Microsoft themselves - you don't have to give them any details beyond your name so don't be scared of asking them directly!

 

[ASE001]

I can see is for 8 processors/sockets before needing datacenter edition.

That would make sense, I was reading it as cores not scokets. Thanks very much for taking the time to reply to this.