Does Anyone Understand The Licensing For This? Not Sure If We Can Run It Or Not

[Explorer]

Has anyone sussed out how the licensing works for Windows Server 2016. I'm finding different information on different websites.

 

If I look under Relationship Summary I have the following information down for Server:

 

[TABLE=class: GridViewBorderStyle]

[TR=class: GridViewRowStyle]

[TD=class: gridItemText GridViewFirstColumn]Servers [/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText]Windows Server - Standard[/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText]2012 R2[/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText, align: center]10[/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText, align: center][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: GridViewAlternatingRowStyle]

[TD=class: gridItemText GridViewFirstColumn]Servers [/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText]Windows Server CAL[/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText]2016[/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText, align: center]100

[/TD]

[TD=class: gridItemText, align: center][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Obviously I can ascertain from that, that we have 10 Server 2012 R2 licenses to use but the CALS are 2016. I'm assuming this flat out means that we cannot run 2016 and must use 2012 R2. But the strange thing is that in Downloads & Keys we have been given a KMS and MAC key for 2016.

 

I've not long taken over the network manager role and I just want to make sure we're licensing properly. I'm going to be replacing some of our servers and would like to use 2016 but obviously I don't want to run it if we're not licensed to do so.

[GiggleKitteh]

I assume you'e looking in VLSC, which is not the easiest site to use. You may be better off looking at your purchasing documents to see exactly what was bought, or ask your reseller/supplier for help.

The main thing you need to know is what agreement these were purchased on. This will affect whether your licences include upgrade/downgrade rights or software assurance.