Distribution database licensing model

Question

Hi all,

I have to implement a transactional replication scenario I've 2 servers, let's say Server_A and Server_B, both servers run SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition. I've to publish a database on Server_A, the subscriber database will be on Server_B.

If I want to put distribution database on a standalone server (let's say Server_C) that hosts only that database (no user's databases) have I to buy license for it?

Answer 1

Licensing questions should be answered by a Microsoft Licensing specialist.  You can contact MS here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/get-sql-server/how-to-buy.aspx

But, Yes you need a license. 

However, why are you trying to put the distributor on a different server?  The distributor is extremely small and light. 

Answer 2

Yes, it needs to be licensed. If it only has a role as a distributor you will need a license for each CAL or core, depending on how you license it. Note that you might be able to get away with a standard edition remote distributor but you would need to cluster it.

Tom - under high load the CPU hit of the agents running on the publisher make some people want to run a remote distributor. Microsoft recommends that if your server is under load you should use a remote distributor. However, you may find that you can get away with a local distributor.

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