Hello, I need three virtualized servers for a small network. One of the servers should be the DC. Can I install 3x Windows Server Essentials if only one of them is the domain controller? If so, where can I find this license information? Many thanks for your help!

You can follow along here. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/install/add-windows-server-essentials-as-a-member-server licensing guide here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/windows-server?SilentAuth=1&wa=wsignin1.0 --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

I think you're Ok, as long as it isn't a domain controller. Windows Server 2019 Essentials has the same licensing and technical characteristics as its predecessor, Windows Server 2016 Essentials. If configured as a Domain Controller, Windows Server 2019 Essentials must be the only Domain Controller, must run all Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles, and cannot have two-way trusts with other Active Directory domains. https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/windowsserver/2018/09/05/windows-server-2019-essentials-update/

Several Windows Server Essentials 2019

Accepted answer

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2021-09-03T19:54:00.357+00:00

You can follow along here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/install/add-windows-server-essentials-as-a-member-server

licensing guide here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/windows-server?SilentAuth=1&wa=wsignin1.0

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
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Andreas Sigmund 21 Reputation points

2021-09-03T20:02:41.677+00:00

This article applies to older Essentials servers.
So far I have only found this article:

Additional Terms for Windows Server 2019 Essentials
Limitations on Use
At any one time, Customer may use a Running Instance of the server software in each of the Physical OSE and in one Virtual OSE.
Customer must run the server software within a domain where the Server’s Active Directory is configured as (i) the domain controller (a single server which contains all the flexible single master operations (FSMO) roles), (ii) the root of the domain forest, (iii) not to be a child domain, and (iv) to have no trust relationship with any other domains. If the server software is used in a Virtual OSE, the Instance in the Physical OSE may be used only to run hardware virtualization software, provide hardware virtualization services, or run software to manage and service Operating System Environment on the Licensed Server. That Instance does not need to meet the requirements in (I) through (iv) above.

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/WindowsServerStandardDatacenterEssentials/OL#UseRights

I'm not sure how that is meant

Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP

2021-09-03T20:09:14.447+00:00

That refers to the server licensing rights allowing you to install an instance of Essentials on your physical server to run the Hyper-V role (with none of the other roles and features of the Essentials Experience installed), and a second instance of Essentials as a virtual machine (VM) on that same server with all the Essentials Experience roles and features.

If you plan to run three essentials instances then you'll need three licenses.

Andreas Sigmund 21 Reputation points

2021-09-03T20:22:33.63+00:00

Ifound this on another page. Here it means there must not be a second Essentials Server 2019 in the same network

"You can not run two version of Essentials on the same network. Essentials must be at the root of the domain and contain all the FSMO roles. You can add any other server as a member server. (Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2016, and 2019)"

https://server-essentials.com/community/answers/2x-windows-2019-server-essentials-servers

or this:

"he issue I have is I did this with a Server 2019 Essentials and it shuts down every 7 days with error about non-member compliance......"

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/421255/server-2019-essentials-as-a-member-server.html

I'm not sure what's right now

PolarTheDog 1 Reputation point

2021-12-08T20:53:31.547+00:00

I had a similar issue with the 7 day shutdown but that was when I had Ess2019 installed as a DC and then tried to run another copy of same license in a VM. I replaced with a copy of 2019 standard in the VM but I would like to know if I had a second lic. for Ess2029 if it would have remedied the situation.

There is a lot of confusion here and I would like to see a clear thoughtful answer. Otherwise I'll have to run my apps on W10

PolarTheDog 1 Reputation point

2021-12-08T20:54:51.65+00:00

btw - the other in the vm was NOT configured as a DC but did have the same LIC#

It is hard to test because the 7-day shutdown doesn't initiate for 30 days or so.
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Several Windows Server Essentials 2019

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