In This Article

Overview

Evolve IP is switching the SQL Server per-core licensing model from Microsoft's SPLA program to the Microsoft CSP program via Azure Arc.

If you have SQL Server VMs with per-core licensing in Evolve IP datacenters, you are required to switch to SQL Server per-core licensing via Azure Arc.  If you have SQL Servers running in other environments (on-prem or another hosting provider), you can add those SQL Servers to the per-core licensing with Azure Arc too, but it's not a requirement.

What Is Azure Arc for SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc extends Azure services (including licensing) to SQL Server instances hosted outside of Azure:

  • In a hosting provider's datacenter like Evolve IP
  • In your own datacenter
  • In an Azure VMware Solution

When you connect your SQL Server instances to Azure Arc, you get a dashboard to view a detailed inventory of your SQL Server instances and databases including Name, Version, SQL Edition, Number of Cores, and Host Operating System.  Azure Arc for SQL Server also allows you to optimize the configuration of your SQL Server instances for best performance and security by running a best practices assessment. 

Switching SQL Server Licensing to Azure Arc

The switchover will occur on March 1, 2025, at which time your per-core licenses with Evolve IP will switch from the Microsoft SPLA month-to-month licensing model to Azure Arc hourly pay-as-you-go (PYG) licensing model.

A benefit of the Azure Arc hourly PYG model is saving costs on your SQL Server instances with variable demand for compute capacity over time.  Savings can occur:

  • When you can turn off a SQL Server at night or on weekends
  • When you can scale down the number of cores used during less busy times
  • If you only plan to use a SQL Server for a short period of time and then won't need it anymore

NOTE

The pricing difference between the two licensing models are negligible, and depending on how you use your SQL Servers, the Azure Arc model may cost less.


Switchover Requirements

  • All servers with instances of:
    • SQL Server Standard 2012-2022
    • SQL Server Enterprise 2012-2022
    • SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2012-2022
  • SQL Server 2008 (10.0.x), SQL Server 2008 R2 (10.50.x), and older versions are not supported.
  • The SQL Servers must have network connectivity to Microsoft Azure on TCP port 443.
  • Multiple instances of SQL Server installed on the same host operating system with the same instance name are not supported.
  • An Always On availability group where one or more replicas is on a failover cluster instance are not supported.
  • Microsoft’s Azure Connected Machine agent and the Azure Extension for SQL Server must be installed on your SQL Servers (no restart required)​.
  • Evolve IP will be available to perform the agent installation​s on your behalf.
  • You must have a Microsoft CSP reseller relationship with Evolve IP​.
  • You must have a GDAP relationship with the minimal required GDAP roles.
  • Evolve IP will provide you with an Azure Subscription for billing purposes.

NOTE

Servers with Microsoft SQL Server Developer Edition are exempt from the licensing requirements, but can be included in Azure Arc.


Switchover Process

  • If you don't already have an Azure subscription through Evolve IP, you will need to sign a sales order for one.
  • If you don't already have a Microsoft CSP reseller relationship with Evolve IP​, one will need to be established along with a GDAP relationship with the minimum required GDAP roles.
  • An Azure Subscription will be provisioned​ to your Microsoft tenant.
  • The Azure Connected Machine agent is installed on all servers with instances of SQL Server​.
  • Evolve IP confirms that all SQL Servers are reporting to Azure Arc​ in your Azure subscription.
  • On March 1, 2025, Evolve IP turns on Azure Arc SQL Server licensing.


Billing Changes

After the switchover, your Evolve IP invoice will show the following changes:

  • Line items for SQL Server Standard (4 CORE) [EDCVSSQLSSP] will be removed from your invoice.
  • Line items for SQL Server Enterprise (4 Core License) [EDCVSSQLSEP] will be removed from your invoice.
  • A new line item for your Azure subscription usage [AZ-USAGE-PYG-NRC] will be added to your invoice:
    • The Azure Usage line item will include the costs of your SQL Server licensing reported by Azure Arc.
    • If you choose to enable additional Azure services in your Azure subscription, those costs will also be included.

NOTE

Azure Subscription Usage is billed in arrears (for the previous usage month).  You will not see the line item for Azure Usage until your April or May invoice.








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