Sql Developer Editions Licensing

[Vishnu9]

Hi Team

I am confused on how to license SQL Developer editions.

We have SQL Server Standard/Enterprise editions, Looks like developer editions are part of downgrade rights in SQL Standard software model.

The confusion is , can developer editions in sub-prod instance consume any of the standard/enterprise entitlement rights purchased.

OR

Only Standard and Enterprise editions should be allowed to consume entitlement rights across any instances.

Thanks in Advance

[Marcos Kassak · Accepted solution]

Hi @Vishnu9,

If you're using SQL Server for any production-related tasks, you should be using either the Standard or Enterprise editions and account for them in your licensing. The Developer edition should be reserved strictly for development and testing environments, and it shouldn't impact your licensing counts for the paid versions.

Found this breakdown in a documentation that may help:

1. SQL Server Developer Edition:

   • The Developer edition is meant for development and testing purposes only. It is not intended for production use.
   • It provides all the features of the Enterprise edition but is free to use. However, because it's free, it doesn't come with any production use rights.
   • If you're using the Developer edition in a sub-prod instance (like a development or testing environment), it shouldn't consume any of your Standard or Enterprise entitlement rights.

2. Downgrade Rights:

   • Downgrade rights typically allow you to use an older version of the software instead of the version you've purchased. This is useful if, for some reason, you're not ready to use the latest version.
   • If you have downgrade rights with your SQL Standard software model, it means you can use an older version of SQL Standard instead of the version you've purchased. It doesn't mean you can downgrade to a Developer edition.

3. Entitlement Rights Consumption:

   • Only Standard and Enterprise editions should consume entitlement rights. These are the editions you pay for, and they come with specific licensing terms based on cores, servers, or CALs (Client Access Licenses).
   • Developer editions, being free for non-production use, should not consume any of these entitlement rights.

If my response helps to solve your question. Kindly mark it as helpful & correct. It will be helpful for future readers! 👍

Thanks,
Marcos Kassak
The world works with ServiceNow!

[Vishnu9 · Accepted solution]

• Developer editions, being free for non-production use, should not consume any of these entitlement rights.

does above statement meant that I can make license under management as false to developer editions even if its installed sub-prod

[Marcos Kassak · Accepted solution]

Hi @Vishnu9,

If you're using SQL Server for any production-related tasks, you should be using either the Standard or Enterprise editions and account for them in your licensing. The Developer edition should be reserved strictly for development and testing environments, and it shouldn't impact your licensing counts for the paid versions.

Found this breakdown in a documentation that may help:

1. SQL Server Developer Edition:

   • The Developer edition is meant for development and testing purposes only. It is not intended for production use.
   • It provides all the features of the Enterprise edition but is free to use. However, because it's free, it doesn't come with any production use rights.
   • If you're using the Developer edition in a sub-prod instance (like a development or testing environment), it shouldn't consume any of your Standard or Enterprise entitlement rights.

2. Downgrade Rights:

   • Downgrade rights typically allow you to use an older version of the software instead of the version you've purchased. This is useful if, for some reason, you're not ready to use the latest version.
   • If you have downgrade rights with your SQL Standard software model, it means you can use an older version of SQL Standard instead of the version you've purchased. It doesn't mean you can downgrade to a Developer edition.

3. Entitlement Rights Consumption:

   • Only Standard and Enterprise editions should consume entitlement rights. These are the editions you pay for, and they come with specific licensing terms based on cores, servers, or CALs (Client Access Licenses).
   • Developer editions, being free for non-production use, should not consume any of these entitlement rights.

If my response helps to solve your question. Kindly mark it as helpful & correct. It will be helpful for future readers! 👍

Thanks,
Marcos Kassak
The world works with ServiceNow!

[Vishnu9 · Accepted solution]

• Developer editions, being free for non-production use, should not consume any of these entitlement rights.

does above statement meant that I can make license under management as false to developer editions even if its installed sub-prod

[Marcos Kassak · Accepted solution]

Yes, the statement implies that SQL Server Developer editions, which are free for development and testing (non-production use), do not consume entitlement rights associated with paid versions like Standard or Enterprise editions.

Therefore, if you're managing licenses in a system where you track "licenses under management" or similar, you can typically set the Developer editions to "false" for being under license management, even if they are installed in a sub-production environment. This is because you aren't required to purchase or manage a license for the Developer edition as you would for Standard or Enterprise editions.

However, always ensure you adhere to the licensing terms provided by Microsoft. It's also a good practice to consult with a licensing expert or review Microsoft's official documentation to confirm any licensing decisions.

If you found my answer helpful or correct in any way, please don't forget to mark it to help future readers! 👍

--

Kind regards,

Marcos Kassak
Solution Consultant  🎯

[Gerald22]

This is not quite accurate. Developer edition is free only if installed in non-production. Developer Edition is functionally identical to Enterprise Edition. So Developer Edition installations cannot just be assumed to be in non-production and ignored for licensing purposes. They have to be detected and accounted for so that for licensing purposes, you can determine if it was installed incorrectly, or by mistake, in production environments.