Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter core add-on

Name: Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter core add-on
SKU: 3876-C
Price: 199.5 EUR
Availability: InStock

What are the main features and advantages of Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter core add-on?
Core coverage – Licenses extra physical cores beyond base sixteen.
Unlimited virtualization – Keeps unlimited Windows guest rights per host.
Azure rights – Enables Azure Hybrid Benefit and extended security.
Host scalability – Add cores as hardware grows over time.
License compliance – Aligns licensing to all physical server cores.
Flexible packs – Available in two-core packs for precise sizing.

From 199,50 €

Download: Server 2022 Datacenter

SKU

3876-C

Microsoft

Description

What is included in Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter core add-on?

Additional cores – Licenses physical cores beyond the base 16.
Same edition – Extends an existing Datacenter base license only.
No media – Uses the base license key and installer.
Unlimited VMs – Keeps Datacenter rights to run unlimited OSEs.
Datacenter features – Storage Spaces Direct, Shielded VMs, software-defined networking.
Important – This add-on contains no product key, no installer, and no Client Access Licenses (CALs).

What are the main benefits of Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter core add-on?

The Datacenter core add-on is an Additional License pack that licenses extra physical cores on a server that already runs a Windows Server 2022 Datacenter base license. It exists for hardware with more than 16 cores, where every physical core must be covered for the installation to stay compliant.

Full core coverage – Licenses all cores on high-density servers.
Compliance fix – Closes the gap on 24, 32, 64-core hosts.
No re-install – Adds cores without touching the running system.
Cost control – Buy only the extra cores you need.
Edition match – Preserves unlimited virtualization on the host.
Pack flexibility – Sold in 2, 4, and 16-core increments.

What does the Datacenter core add-on actually do?

It licenses additional physical processor cores on a server that already has a Windows Server 2022 Datacenter base license. Windows Server 2022 is licensed per physical core, and a base license covers 16 cores; any server with more cores than that must be fully covered, or the installation is under-licensed. The add-on supplies that extra coverage without changing the operating system already installed. It carries no installer and no product key, so it has no effect on its own and only takes effect when paired with a matching Datacenter base license.

Can I install a server using only the core add-on?

No. The core add-on ships with no media and no product key, and it relies on the installer and key from the Datacenter base license. On its own it cannot activate or boot a server, which is the most common buying mistake with this product. If you do not already own a Windows Server 2022 Datacenter base license, buy that first and add the core packs afterward. Buying add-on cores without a base license leaves you with a pack that cannot be installed.

How many cores do I need to license, and in what packs?

Every physical core in the server must be licensed, with a minimum of 8 cores per processor and 16 cores per server. The 16-core base license covers the minimum; the add-on covers the remainder, so a 24-core server needs 8 extra core licenses and a 32-core server needs 16. Core licenses are sold in packs of 2, 4, and 16, letting you match the exact core count of your CPUs. Count the physical cores per socket before ordering, since under-licensing by even two cores breaks compliance.

Does the core add-on include Client Access Licenses (CALs)?

No. Core licenses, including this add-on, never include CALs, which are required separately for every user or device that connects to the server. A CAL is not software; it is the legal right for a user or device to use server services such as file shares, printing, or authentication. Windows Server 2022 CALs are sold as User CALs or Device CALs, and you choose based on whether you have more users or more shared devices. Plan the CAL count alongside the core count so the deployment is fully covered.

What does the Datacenter edition give me that Standard does not?

Datacenter grants unlimited virtual machines (OSEs) on a fully licensed host, while Standard is limited to two per set of core licenses. Datacenter also unlocks Storage Spaces Direct, Shielded Virtual Machines, software-defined networking, and unlimited Storage Replica, none of which are available in Standard. These features matter for clustered hyper-converged storage and dense virtualization, where Standard would force you to repeatedly re-license the same hardware to add VMs. The core add-on preserves these Datacenter rights as you scale up to higher core counts on the same host.

Feature	Datacenter	Standard
Virtual machines (OSEs)	Unlimited	2 per license
Storage Spaces Direct	✓	✕
Shielded VMs	✓	✕
Software-defined networking	✓	✕
Storage Replica	Unlimited	Limited
Licensing model	Per core	Per core
CALs included	✕	✕

What should I check before choosing this core add-on?

Confirm three things: that you already own a Windows Server 2022 Datacenter base license, that the add-on edition matches that base exactly, and that the total core licenses equal every physical core in the server. A Datacenter add-on extends a Datacenter base only; it cannot top up a Standard installation. Hotpatching, which lets you apply updates without rebooting, is not part of on-premises Datacenter 2022 and is reserved for the Azure Edition, so do not assume it is included. Verifying the base edition and exact core count before buying prevents the most frequent reason these packs cannot be activated.

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. Systems with more than 16 GB RAM may require more disk space for paging, hibernation, and dump files.
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	Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter core add-on is a licensing add-on for additional physical CPU cores and does not change Windows Server 2022 installation requirements. Core licenses are assigned per physical core and additional cores are licensed in increments of two or 16. Actual requirements vary based on system configuration, installed applications, and enabled roles and features.

Legal Information

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