Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter

Name: Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter
SKU: 3091-C
Price: 231.1 EUR
Availability: InStock

What are the main features and advantages of Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter?
Unlimited Virtualization – Run unlimited Windows VMs on licensed hosts.
Advanced Security – Strong hardening options for modern threat protection.
Hyper-V Platform – Mature virtualization for clusters and consolidation.
Storage Spaces – Build resilient, high-performance software-defined storage.
Network Virtualization – Flexible SDN features for segmented network designs.
Hybrid Integration – Connect and manage servers with cloud services.

From 231,10 €

Download: Server 2022 Datacenter

SKU

3091-C

Microsoft

Description

What is included in Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter?

Unlimited Virtualization – Run unlimited Windows VMs per licensed host.
Storage Spaces Direct – Pool local drives into shared cluster storage.
Shielded VMs – Encrypt guest VMs against compromised host admins.
Software-Defined Networking – Centrally control virtual networks and traffic policies.
Core Licensing – Minimum 16 core licenses per physical server.
Important – Client Access Licenses (CALs) and Remote Desktop Services (RDS) rights are not included in this edition.

What are the main benefits of Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter?

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter is the top on-premises edition, built for heavily virtualized hosts and clustered infrastructure. It shares the same core feature base as Standard but removes the virtualization cap and adds software-defined storage, networking, and VM isolation.

VM Density – Consolidate many guests onto one licensed host.
Cluster Storage – Build hyper-converged storage without a separate SAN.
Workload Isolation – Protect tenant VMs with TPM-backed Shielded VMs.
Inherited Activation – Activate guest VMs directly from the host.
Storage Replica – Replicate volumes with no 2 TB size limit.
Predictable Cost – Fixed per-core cost regardless of VM count.

What does Windows Server 2022 Datacenter do?

Datacenter is the edition you license when a single physical host runs many virtual machines, because it grants rights to unlimited Windows Server VMs and containers once all physical cores are licensed. On a Standard host you must re-license every core for each additional pair of VMs, so a host running six or more Windows guests usually costs less under Datacenter. It runs the same roles as Standard — Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, file services, Hyper-V — plus Storage Spaces Direct and Software-Defined Networking. In practice, this is the edition for virtualization hosts and storage clusters, not for a single low-density file server.

What is the difference between Standard and Datacenter?

The core difference is virtualization rights: Standard permits two VMs (OSEs) per fully licensed host, while Datacenter permits unlimited VMs on the same licensed cores. Datacenter also exclusively includes Storage Spaces Direct, Shielded VMs, Software-Defined Networking, and unlimited Storage Replica, where Standard caps Storage Replica at a single partnership and one 2 TB volume. Both editions use the same per-core licensing model and both still require separate Windows Server CALs. Choose Datacenter when VM count or clustered storage justifies it; choose Standard for low-density deployments.

Feature	Standard	Datacenter
Virtual machines	2 per host	Unlimited
Storage Spaces Direct	✕	✓
Shielded VMs	✕	✓
Software-Defined Networking	✕	✓
Storage Replica	1 vol, 2 TB	Unlimited
Windows Server CALs	Required	Required

Does Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter include CALs or RDS rights?

No. The Datacenter license covers the server software itself, but every user or device that accesses the server still needs a separate Windows Server CAL. Unlimited VM rights do not change this — CALs are about access, not virtualization. If you plan to host Remote Desktop sessions, you also need RDS CALs on top of the base CAL, since RDS is an additive access right. Buyers often assume the high-end edition bundles these; it does not, so budget CALs separately.

What are the core licensing minimums for this edition?

Datacenter uses per-core licensing with a hard minimum of 16 core licenses per physical server and at least 8 core licenses per physical processor, whichever is greater. You must license every physical core in the host, even if some cores are idle. Core licenses are sold in 2-core and 16-core packs, so a 24-core dual-socket server needs licenses covering all 24 cores. This matters because the "unlimited VM" benefit only applies once all physical cores on the host are correctly licensed.

When is Datacenter worth it over Standard?

Datacenter pays off once you run enough Windows VMs on one host that repeatedly re-licensing Standard's cores costs more than a single Datacenter license. Because Standard grants only two VMs per full core license, a host with roughly 12 or more Windows guests typically reaches the break-even point. The other trigger is feature need: if you require Storage Spaces Direct for hyper-converged storage or Shielded VMs for tenant isolation, only Datacenter provides them. For a host running two or three VMs with no clustered storage, Standard remains the more economical choice.

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter

Do Linux virtual machines count against the license?

Datacenter already permits unlimited VMs, so VM count is never a constraint here. Linux guests do not consume a Windows Server license because they are not Windows operating system environments. You still must license all physical cores of the host running Hyper-V.

Can older Windows Server CALs access a 2022 server?

No. Windows Server CALs are version-specific and must match or exceed the server version, so accessing a 2022 server requires 2022 CALs. Older 2019 or 2016 CALs are not valid for it. Plan CAL purchases to the server version you are deploying.

Does Datacenter support a higher hardware ceiling than Standard?

No — both editions share the same hardware maximums of 48 TB RAM and 64 sockets. The differences between them are virtualization rights and software-defined features, not raw hardware scaling limits. Choose based on VM density and feature need rather than expecting more capacity from Datacenter.

All product information is provided without guarantee. Errors and technical changes reserved.
Binding information can be obtained directly from the manufacturer. Please check this before making your purchase.

System requirements

Processor	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor or faster. Compatible with x64 instruction set. Supports NX and DEP. Supports CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, PrefetchW instructions. Supports Second Level Address Translation EPT or NPT. Supports SSE4.2 Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2 instruction set. Supports POPCNT instruction.
Memory RAM	1 GB for Server Core. 2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience. ECC Error Correcting Code type or similar technology recommended for physical host deployments.
Hard Disk	32 GB of space minimum on the system partition. Additional space may be required for updates, paging, dump files, and installed roles and features.
Display	Monitor capable of Super VGA 1024 x 768 or higher resolution, only required for certain features.
Graphics	Integrated or dedicated graphics adapter supporting Super VGA 1024 x 768 or higher resolution, only required for certain features.
Note	Actual requirements vary based on system configuration, applications, and installed roles and features. 32 GB should be treated as an absolute minimum for successful installation and will typically require more space in real deployments. Computers with more than 16 GB RAM may require more disk space for paging, hibernation, and dump files.

Legal Information

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The rights’ holder has granted the first buyer the right to use the software permanently (unlimited).
Improvements and updates, which the computer program downloaded by the subsequent purchaser has in comparison with the computer program downloaded by the first purchaser, must be covered by a maintenance contract concluded between the author/right’s holder and the first purchaser.
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In addition, the seller must also inform the customer that the purchase of a product key by transmitting a combination of numbers and letters in digital form does not yet constitute a license to use the program legally. Corresponding information can be found on this page under point 2 and at various other places on our website.

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The principle of exhaustion is normally met or the license is "used up" as soon as it has been lawfully placed on the market for the first time. The present offer is software which has been put into circulation for unlimited use in the form of an activatable product key with the possibility of downloading the program. Microsoft or the respective other software provider has received an appropriate remuneration for this.
With us you get access to particularly attractively priced used product keys from volume license agreements, which - from a legal point of view - are to be treated in the same way as parts of volume licenses at the initial purchase.
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