Is SQL Server changing to per core licensing?

Question

I heard a rumor that Microsoft was going to change SQL Server 2008 R2 to per core licensing, instead of per processor/socket. Has anyone else heard this? Is there any truth to this rumor?

Please cite a source if possible, especially if you believe this is changing.

Answer 1

Never heard of that. When multicore emerged, Microsoft even made quite some noise about counting multicore cpus as one. (when Oracle still had complicated formulas for it)

Oracle simplified it licensing later under quite some pressure, so it would be strange for Microsoft for making it more complex again.

Answer 2

Actually, Microsoft offers licensing both ways. You can either license per processer with unlimited users, or per server with a limited number of CALs (client access licenses) with additional CALs purchasable to add-on. See here

Answer 3

Up until SQL Server 2008, it's per physical processor

I think I read something about a change but I can't find it. Will keep looking.

Answer 4

So far the major change in licensing that I have heard of was in the number of instances allowed on a single machine is changing.

"Going forward, the Datacenter Edition will allow the unlimited instance rights, and the Enterprise Edition will relinquish that privilege upon the R2 release."

described here http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/datacenter/?p=1882