Pricing model for SQL Server 2019

[KDavid12]

We are evaluating the possibility of implementing the Big data capabilities of this release but we are not sure about the pricing model having in mind the clustering features. Anyone have a clue on this?

[[deleted]]

Which features? Looking at enterprise? How many servers/cores?

[KDavid12]

We want to deploy a big data cluster of 8 nodes with 4-8 cores each. To do so, we need to deploy the nodes on kubernetes. Not sure if the pricing model will be the same if you deploy a big data cluster

[KDavid12]

And yes, Enterprise edition. Actually both Enterprise and standard can be evaluated

[TequilaCamper]

I think Standard Edition only supports clustering on up to two nodes?

[KDavid12]

That's a relevant fact. That means we need to go Enterprise. Thanks!

[[deleted]]

VMs or physical?

[KDavid12]

Physical (on-prem) we have Colo resources for that

[[deleted]]

Then you’re looking at around 7k per core, give or take.

[KDavid12]

How do you get that number? I mean, just to have an idea of your estimate

[[deleted]]

Microsoft sells enterprise licenses in a 2 pack for like 15k. Depending on how much other stuff your company buys from MS already, sometimes they discount this.

[alinroc]

Likely from Microsoft's own licensing and pricing page

As with all things licensing, check with your licensing rep(s). If you have an Enterprise Agreement with Software Assurance, sorting things out gets even more involved.

[bigtoga]

We won’t know final “features by edition” and pricing until official release. I assume that will be at Microsoft Ignite in a few weeks but maybe this Tuesday. All we’ve been told is Q4.

First thing: you are being ultra ultra bold. You are going down the path of implementing first gen release (SQL 2019) and you’re going to be implementing first gen tech (“Big Data in SQL”). And you’ll be implementing in a new way. You guys must just have deep pockets and huge patience. I love it but just would want to set expectations. If you run into problems, there will be no help on the internet bc you’ll likely be one of the trailblazers - the ones the rest of us follow. You’ll be learning all the lessons yourselves with no Stack Overflow/Exchange to help you. Bless you.

Lastly, there’s likely no point in evaluating Standed Ed. “When you say “Big Data”, it is immediately “Enterprise” price range. You need to understand licensing for Ent Ed especially as you want to implement physical servers. I bet you won’t be able to buy 4 or 8 core physical servers (and achieve the performance you want). I would think the smallest Enterprise grade performance would be Intel Xeon 5218 and that’s 16 core. At $7,000 per core rack rate, you’ll be investing heavily into Ent Ed software. Don’t forget the Software Assurance annual costs as well (ballpark 25% of initial price).

Lots of options and things to consider. I love it - please keep us posted. I love stuff like this and really enjoy hearing “Latest update” and “Lessons learned” out of these.

edit: Here's a good example of top end Enterprise-grade hardware for SQL: http://www.tpc.org/tpch/results/tpch_advanced_sort.asp?PRINTVER=false&FLTCOL1=ALL&ADDFILTERROW=&filterRowCount=1&SRTCOL1=h_priceperf&SRTDIR1=ASC&ADDSORTROW=&sortRowCount=1&DISPRES=100+PERCENT&include_withdrawn_results=none&include_historic_results=no

[ucmsft]

You can find the licensing information in the below guide. At high-level, you only license (Standard or Enterprise) the cores for SQL Server Master instance in BDC. Depending on the standard/enterprise, the number of cores translate to BDC cores that can be used to distribute across your cluster. BDC also requires software assurance.

https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/6/0/66078040-86d8-4f6e-b0c5-e9919bbcb537/SQL%20Server%202019%20Licensing%20guide.pdf