Windows Server 2019 Datacenter License - Product Activation

~OSD~ 2,176 Reputation points
2020-09-23T08:03:04.673+00:00

Hi all,

Have Physical Server with 2 Processors. Each processor has 8 cores. This means I have 16 cores in total (physical). However, there is feature on server to activate virtual cores, when doing this, I get 32 cores.
Physical Cores = 16
Physical + virtual Cores = 32

Now if we consider the Windows Server activation for Windows Server 2019 Datacenter, I have valid product key for the DC which I used to activate the server. Should I need to consider take other actions to activate Processor cores in addition to Operating System activation? If yes, please advise how?

Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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Windows Server Setup
Windows Server Setup
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Setup: The procedures involved in preparing a software program or application to operate within a computer or mobile device.
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  1. Jenny Feng 14,131 Reputation points
    2020-09-23T08:54:01.037+00:00

    Hi,

    You don't need to activate processor cores, just use the product key to activate the server that you can have the operating system activated.

    Hope above information can help you.

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  1. ~OSD~ 2,176 Reputation points
    2020-09-23T09:51:42.053+00:00

    Thanks for confirmation.

    Perhaps you people know already, but just would like to mention the source of my confusion linked to the following articles:
    https://imageframe.co.uk/per-core-licensing-faq/
    https://petri.com/understanding-windows-server-2016-licensing
    https://timothygruber.com/windows-server-2016/windows-server-2016-licensing-simplified/

    But now I can conclude from the comments in this Q&A session that if I have activated Server DC with valid key, I am all done and can use AVMA as well without worrying about the CALs or number of physical cores etc.

    Thanks again everyone!

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-09-23T09:53:39.123+00:00

    Yes, you can activate an unlimited number of guests on a DataCenter host using the AVMA keys here.
    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/vm-activation-19

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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