Windows 2022 Servers Unexpectedly Upgrading to 2025, Aaaargh!

.... what? Last I checked, you still need Windows Server CALs, if you run Server Datacenter (ref: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/pricing). As far as I know, the only time you do not require CALs, is if you are using SPLA licensing - at which point, you yourself generally don't manage the licenses, but the MSP does (also, the MSP is not allowed to give you direct access to the keys). This also means, that if you have any volume licenses that you want to use in your MSPs datacenter, you need to have an active SA with those licenses. Only thing you get "unlimited" of, is the ability to run as much Windows VOSE that you can on the hardware (and obviously AVMA). SQL on the other hand does not require CALs in the case of core licensing, only when using Server + CAL model. Although, Core licensing in virtual environment requires you to have a valid SA for the SQL Server Core packs and a minimum of 4 licensed vCores per vOSE (even if you only use one), unless you go and license the physical cores (IIRC, with Enterprise Edition + SA), which would allow you to run unlimited SQL Server instances (in other words, as many has the hardware can handle). And then there's the Azure Hybrid benefit model that muddles the costs and especially SQL Server licensing... A final note, some recommended reading: * https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/welcome/welcomepage * https://download.microsoft.com/download/e/8/e/e8edae36-cbc6-4123-bc5a-f651d174fd6c/pur_explained.pdf * https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Licensing-Briefs And especially these from the Licensing Briefs link: * [Introduction to Microsoft Core Licensing](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/documents/download/Licensing_brief_PLT_Introduction_to_Microsoft_Core_licensing_Oct2022.pdf) * [Microsoft server products for use in virtual environments](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/documents/download/Licensing_brief_PLT_Licensing_Microsoft_server_products_for_use_in_virtual_environments_Oct2022.pdf) And to be a nitpicky too, when you have a valid SA for Windows Server licenses, your CALs need to have it too...