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alexkm2025's avatar
alexkm2025
Copper Contributor
Mar 10, 2025

Questions about the correct licensing of Microsoft Azure Local

Hello dear Tech Community,

I hope I am posting this in the right place, please move to the correct section if necessary.

 

We have the following customer situation:

Planned acquisition of 2 host servers (2x 32 Core AMD EPYC CPU per Server) for Microsoft Azure Local usage with Windows 11 Multihost locally hosted (220 users).

Is it possible to avoid the monthly costs for Azure by using the Azure Hybrid Benefit and license regularly via OEM Datacenter + Software Assurance or Open Value Datacenter + Software Assurance?

 

Planned licensing options:

Licensing Option 1: (Software Assurance only for SRV license, no Software Assurance for CALs): OEM licenses + Software Assurance for server OS. Use of Azure Hybrid Benefit (Bring your Own License - only with active Software Assurance!)

8x Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM 16 Core
44x Microsoft Windows Server 2025 5-User CAL OEM
8x Microsoft OPEN Value Windows Server Datacenter 16 Core Licence Software Assurence 3 Years Upfront Cores - OVL - NL


Licensing Option 2: Open Value 3Y Upfront

Use of Azure Hybrid Benefit (Bring your Own License - only with active Software Assurance!)

8x Microsoft Windows Server Datacenter Edition Software Assurance 16Core 3Y-Y1 OVL
220x MS OVL-NL Windows Server CAL Lic+Software Assurance 3Y-Y1


Licensing Option 3: CSP Subscription

Use of Azure Hybrid Benefit (Bring your Own License via subscription license)

12x Windows Server 2025 Datacenter - 8 Core License Pack - 3 Year Term- CSP - ABO
220x Windows Server 2025 CAL - 1 User CAL - 3 Year Term- CSP - ABO

 

Licensing Option 4: Azure Local directly (no CALĀ“s needed)

128x Azure Local - Monthly service fee - per core per month
128x Windows Server subscription (for guests) - Monthly service fee - per core per month

 

Are the four options I listed legally applicable for the planned project mentioned above?

Thank you in advance!

  • MartijnElfers's avatar
    MartijnElfers
    Steel Contributor

    For such a large/complex case, I'd suggest to log a Partner Technical Advisory ticket from your Partner Center. They do provide pre-sales support as well to help partners get the best solution/offer for their customers. 

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