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Distribution database licensing model

Question
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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?
- Moved by Tom Phillips Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:04 PM Replication question
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:03 PM
Answers
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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.
looking for a book on SQL Server 2008 Administration? http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Server-2008-Management-Administration/dp/067233044X looking for a book on SQL Server 2008 Full-Text Search? http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Full-Text-Search-Server-2008/dp/1430215941
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:31 PMAnswerer
All replies
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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.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:10 PM -
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.
looking for a book on SQL Server 2008 Administration? http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Server-2008-Management-Administration/dp/067233044X looking for a book on SQL Server 2008 Full-Text Search? http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Full-Text-Search-Server-2008/dp/1430215941
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:31 PMAnswerer