Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard – Database server licence

Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard is the most recent generation of Microsoft's relational database engine. It is the data foundation of enterprise applications: ERP, CRM, management software, e-commerce platforms, custom-developed business applications. The Standard edition allows up to 24 cores and 128 GB of memory per instance, which amply covers the needs of an SME.

Key features

• Intelligent query optimisation — automatically optimised parameterised query plans, feedback on the degree of parallelism and memory allocation, reduced blocking without developer intervention.
• Ledger (tamper-proof register) — a cryptographic log of changes, which makes it possible to prove that data has not been altered. Useful for audit and compliance.
• Data Virtualization — querying in T-SQL of Parquet, CSV or Delta files stored in S3-compatible object storage, without prior import, and backup to that same storage.
• Always Encrypted with secure enclaves — encryption of sensitive columns with searching over encrypted data.
• Query Store enabled by default — performance monitoring from installation.
• Windows, Linux and containers — the same engine, whatever the host system.

Licensing model

SQL Server 2022 is licensed per core or as Server + CAL. The per-core model is required as soon as users are numerous or unidentifiable (public web application). The Server + CAL model is more economical for a small number of internal users: it then requires one SQL Server CAL per user or per device, in addition to the server licence. Reminder: a CAL is a right of access, not software to be installed.

Installation and activation

You receive the key by email within 24 hours maximum. Download the SQL Server 2022 installer, choose the Standard edition, enter the product key. An Evaluation or Developer instance already in place can be switched to Standard via the edition upgrade wizard.

System requirements

Windows Server 2016 or later (or supported Linux), x64 processor 1.4 GHz, 4 GB of memory minimum, 6 GB of disk space. Extended support until January 2033.

Buy SQL Server 2022 Standard

Odin Key is operated by CHKEY OÜ, an Estonian company. Official invoice included; support in English by e-mail and live chat. Key sent by email within 24h maximum.