Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • New Cloud Licensing Limits

    Licensing is always a complex discussion with SQL Server. Depending on the way you run it, the edition, the version, whether you’ve purchased Software Assurance, and more, you might struggle to ensure you are in compliance with Microsoft’s terms.

    This can be even more complex when you move to the cloud, as sometimes your setup could include a license, and sometimes it doesn’t. If you lift-and-shift to cloud VMs, Azure lets you bring your existing licenses with the Azure Hybrid Benefit, which is tempting for organizations that want to get out of the data center business and move their workload to the cloud.

    However, that isn’t necessarily the same for all clouds. While Amazon lists various ways you can bring your licenses to AWS, Microsoft hasn’t felt that was legal. They’ve noted in 2019 that their “cloud partners” couldn’t support workloads on non-SA licenses. I can’t quite determine if SA licenses can be used, as lots of information out there is conflicting. Microsoft’s FAQ seems to support the idea that you need dedicated hosts, not just any shared VM.

    Not all cloud providers count, however. This week Microsoft noted that some cloud providers can let you run your workload by bringing your licenses. These are smaller providers in Europe who filed complaints. Likely these providers can’t offer the scale or pricing of GCP, AWS or Alibaba, so they aren’t as big a revenue threat as these providers.

    I don’t know what I think is the right thing, as once I’ve purchased a license, why does the location or ownership of the VM count? I ought to be able to run the software within the same guidelines in Rackspace, EC2 or GCP just as I would on-premises. However, such is the strange world of software licensing.

    If you deal with licensing, I’m sorry, but also, you should note that there are rules and restrictions when you move to the cloud. That’s something I see increasingly happening in many organizations, so educate yourself so that you can make the right recommendation. And when you get ready to purchase licenses, think about how SA not only affects upgrades, but also the flexibility of migration.

    Steve Jones

  • Future Data Driven

    I was honored to speak at Future Data Driven last year. This year has a great lineup with some fantastic sessions on data related topics.

    Register today for the Sep 28 event

    This is online, so you can attend from anywhere. You can see Anna Hoffman talk about the innovations from Microsoft. Get CosmosDB tuning tips from Hasan Savran, learn about SQL Server 2022’s contained AGs from Eitan Blumin and more. Machine learning, performance, Power BI, Graph, Azure Data Factory, there’s something for most anyone working with data.

    Sadly, I won’t be there. Well, not sad for me. I’m traveling back from Venice with my wife to London to speak at a conference in-person.

    You can attend, however. Make plans today and register for the Sep 28 event

  • Daily Coping 2 Sept 2022

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

    Today’s tip is to forgive someone who hurt you in the past.

    Like many of you, I don’t always have many good interactions with others. Sometimes the way someone talks to me, or their actions, are hurtful. Easy to not show a reaction, but very hard to not feel one.

    Years ago I applied to run for the PASS board of directors. I had an interview with a number of people on the board and it was a bit contentious. They elected to not place me on the ballot for elections, something that I still feel today was improper and and abuse of power.

    For a few years, I didn’t talk to anyone on that board.

    However, I’m a bit past that. What’s done is done, and despite my disagreement, I don’t harbor ill feelings, nor do I look for revenge or wish anyone to not do well that was a part of that group. I forgive them.

  • Daily Coping 1 Sep 2022

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

    Today’s tip is to notice when someone is down and try to brighten their day.

    One thing I do like about social media is that people can vent and ask for support. I try to mostly look for pictures and celebrate life with others, but if someone is struggling, I do try to post something positive or send them a comment.

    Recently I noticed a friend was a bit down. Having a hard time. I reached out privately, just to send my best wishes and offer to listen if they need to vent or talk. Usually when I do this, I let them know there is no need to reply.

    Usually that gets me a heart or like, which is good for me, and hopefully good for them.