Server 2019 licensing with virtual box

Siorobb 1 Reputation point
2021-09-29T21:50:54.06+00:00

I am new to server licensing and virtual machines.

I manage a server running server 2019 standard edition. One uses a virtual machine (Virtual Box) to manage a specific software on ~25 client PCs. The server is running the standard edition of Server 2019, but the server license on Virtual Box is an evaluation edition that is about to expire. I understand that the Server 2019 license comes with two free virtual machines that can run the server software on it.

How can apply the standard license to the os on the virtual box machine? Or do I need to set up Microsoft's VM and migrate the contents of the Virtual Box over? I am thinking about using Hyper-v -

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Limitless Technology 39,396 Reputation points
    2021-09-30T11:02:06.383+00:00

    Hello @SiobhanRobinson-2122,

    Unfortunately the activation for Virtual machines (called AVMA) only works for HyperV Clients you can read more about it here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/automatic-vm-activation

    You will need to migrate to this hypervisor in order to apply.

    Hope this helps with your query,

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-09-29T22:23:19.77+00:00

    Some general info (this applies regardless or the hypervisor being used)

    • Each host needs to be licensed.
    • A minimum of 8 core licenses is required for each physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses is required for each server.
    • Core licenses are sold in packs of two.
    • Standard Edition provides rights for up to 2 Operating System Environments or Windows Servers containers with Hyper-V isolation when all physical cores in the server are licensed. For each additional 1 or 2 VMs, all the physical cores in the server must be licensed again.
    • DataCenter Edition provides rights for unlimited Operating System Environments or Windows Servers containers with Hyper-V isolation when all physical cores in the server are licensed.

    https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/C/E/7CED6910-C7B2-4196-8C55-208EE0B427E2/Windows_Server_2019_licensing_datasheet_EN_US.pdf

    To convert the evaluation to Standard full you can (domain controller conversion is not supported)

    Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:12345-67890-12345-67890-12345

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

  3. Siorobb 1 Reputation point
    2021-10-01T16:32:41.683+00:00

    It did work - I'm an idiot and mistyped the command.

    Thank you so much for your help - you helped me to avoid a longer process