SQL server 2022 enterprise server CAL license

Shwetha K R 20 Reputation points
2025-09-16T12:25:41.8766667+00:00

Hello Team, please confirm if I can install SQL server 2022 enterprise server CAL license on physical standalone machine. As I know there is a restriction to install on physical host.

SQL Server | Other
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  1. Bruce (SqlWork.com) 81,356 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-09-16T15:26:22.46+00:00

    your question is not clear. CALs are client licenses, and are not installed. When you purchase SQLServer the product key is either core based or CAL based. With an CAL license, every user/device that accesses directly or via an application SQLServer must have a CAL.

    If you are asking about the Sqlserver install, then in CAL mode it can be hardware or vm.


  2. Erland Sommarskog 127.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-09-16T21:24:00.5233333+00:00

    No, you can't install SQL Server Enterprise Edition with CAL license. Enterprise Edition is only available in Per-Core license. For more information see the SQL Server Licensing Guide.

    By the way, I am not aware of any restriction of running Standard Edition with per-core license on a physical machine.


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