Microsoft SQL Server 2016 - for flexible database management
Compared to older versions, the 2016 version of Microsoft's SQL database system brings with it an interesting series of innovations that primarily affect the areas of security, performance and high availability. The processing of large, complex data volumes - keyword "Big Data" - also plays an important role. In addition to the integrated in-memory performance, the advanced analytics functions and the real-time analysis of operational data, the expanded reporting area should also be mentioned.
Other important features in SQL Server 2016 include support for JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) for easy data exchange, as well as PolyBase to process Transact-SQL queries. Last but not least, this server version also offers new hybrid cloud scenarios. Companies thus get even more detailed results through sophisticated data analyses, which can be displayed on many end devices with comprehensive visualizations.
The SQL Server 2016 Standard edition is available from Wiresoft - either as licensing per server/CALs or 2-cores. Both variants of the Microsoft licensing model take into account the different scalability of the server features - according to the different requirements of smaller or larger companies and organizations
Key benefits and features of Microsoft SQL Server version 2016 in brief
- Stretch Databases integration provides enhanced cloud support by connecting on-premises environments and the cloud, as well as the ability to store OLTP data in Microsoft Azure
- New Always Encrypted technology helps protect enterprise data - on-premises and in the cloud
- In-memory OLTP improves data capture performance with more than 100x faster queries, as well as processing transactions at up to 30x faster speeds
- Conventional OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) solutions are supported
- The R programming language can be used for statistical analyses with Advanced Analytics
- Enhanced security with features such as Always Encrypted, Dynamic Data Masking, and Row-Level Security (RLS)
- Maximize SQL server performance with T-SQL (Transact-SQL)
- PolyBase simplifies relational and non-relational data processing for Transact-SQL queries
- Business Intelligence is available for all mobile devices, including Android and iOS smartphones, to publish reports in Excel 2016, for intuitive understanding through rich visualizations
- Advanced Business Intelligence with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
- Hybrid scenarios are available in Microsoft Azure for backup including high availability and recovery of local databases, including storage of active secondary replicas in Always On availability groups with read-only access
Benefits and services with Microsoft SQL Server 2016 at a glance
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 is another version of the intelligent, reliable data platform that supports productive teamwork. With SQL Server 2016 Standard you can transform different business-critical applications into intelligent applications. Here, the 2016 Standard edition already offers higher scalability in addition to optimized availability for up to 24 cores. In addition, the open source R integration enables extended analysis options.
Windows SQL Server 2016 thus provides a comprehensive business intelligence database for managing and analyzing data. All employees in the company who either have a client access license or are authorized to access the database per se in the case of 2-core licensing can run a wide range of typical business applications.
Administrators will appreciate the efficient database management, as SQL Server 2016 requires minimal IT resources. In addition, the server version supports a range of development tools, which are intended not only for local use, but also for cloud-based use in particular. Particularly noteworthy are the following new features and functions of SQL Server version 2016:
SQL Server 2016 offers even higher performance
In addition to many other features, the 2016 version of the Microsoft SQL Server software also has optimized performance, including many flexible deployment options. This is also ensured by the integrated in-memory functions, which offer a significant performance increase for all workloads - and at a speed comparable to that of in-memory OLTP. In addition, there are other
Features that also enhance SQL Server 2016 performance, such as in-memory columnstore and query store, as well as Temporal Tables, built-in support for historization and concurrent provisioning of table data.
R Services for Microsoft SQL Server
By incorporating the new SQL Server R Services, Microsoft is making the R statistical language available for SQL Server 2016. Users who have a client access license can use it to run R scripts directly on SQL Server, instead of first exporting all the data for an analysis from the SQL database and then importing it into R, as was previously the case. So R Services not only saves valuable time, but also provides greater security by eliminating the need to transfer sensitive data.
Master Data Services for efficient management of master data
The Master Data Services (MDS) tool in SQL Server 2016 allows efficient management of master data sets of a company or organization. With MDS, data can not only be organized in the form of models, but rules for updating can also be defined, including the authorization of persons to be able to update this data. The master data set can also be shared with specific people in Excel.
Reporting Services (SSRS) for providing reports
The SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services - support with different tools and services the creation as well as the administration including the provision of mobile and paginated reports. Analysis Services provide analytical data of reporting and business services reports, they can also be used for client applications or business intelligence tools from other providers. In addition, Reporting Services capabilities allow a user to generate reports from different data sources, including publishing them in different formats. Employees can read them via a browser in the web portal, via e-mail or even on a mobile device.
Higher security level
Microsoft SQL Server version 2016 also has some important improvements to offer in terms of security:
With Always Encrypted, particularly sensitive data, such as credit card or ID card numbers, is protected and encrypted and stored in an Azure SQL or SQL Server database. Always Encrypted allows a distinction to be made between users who are authorized to view this data and those who are only allowed to manage it but do not have access to it.
Row-Level Security (RLS), on the other hand, allows precise access restrictions to be implemented for individual data rows. RLS thus ensures that a specific employee can access only those data rows for which he or she has authorization.
Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) simplifies security coding in applications; DDM prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data by masking it.
SQL Server 2016 Standard edition available from Wiresoft
Wiresoft offers the SQL Server 2016 Edition Standard at a reasonable price in both 2-core license and Server/CALs variants. This addresses the divergent needs of enterprises and institutions in terms of scalability of SQL services based on server performance.
Microsoft licensing model for SQL Server 2016
With SQL Server version 2016, Microsoft also changes the so-called license metric: It calculates the number of licenses required for a server with which the SQL software is used. While it was previously irrelevant in previous Microsoft Server versions how many cores are present in a processor, this number now represents the basis for determining the license requirement - depending on the respective server edition. Core licensing takes into account the increasing performance of processors due to the ever-increasing number of cores installed, which means that ever-larger workloads can be handled.
For SQL Server version 2016, Microsoft offers licensing per Server/CALs for the Standard edition available from Wiresoft in addition to the additional 2-core licensing. This means that smaller companies also have the opportunity to benefit from the performance and virtualization functions of SQL Server 2016 Standard if their server performance allows licensing with the more favorable alternative Server & CALs.
Whether licensing the Standard Edition of SQL Server 2016 by cores is more favorable for a company than licensing by Server plus CALs depends on the respective use in a company, and depends, for example, on the number of employees and the degree of virtualization of services. The reverse is also possible, that Server/CAL licensing is the more cost-effective option. A machine with a maximum of 2 processors with 8 cores each can be licensed more favorably with the SQL 2016 Server/CAL version, provided that the actual need for cloud services etc. is lower.
License for SQL Server 2016 per Server/CAL
The Microsoft license per server/CAL is made up of these components:
Each server on which SQL Server edition 2016 Standard is to be run basically requires its own server license. To allow employees to use all server services and functions, the server license must be supplemented by additional client access licenses - CALs. A separate access license - as a user or device CAL - is required for each user or end device.
License for SQL Server 2016 per 2-Core
When licensing SQL Server 2016 on the basis of processor cores, Microsoft defines the counting method according to the following criteria: One core license applies to two cores - as opposed to the previous calculation, which estimated one license per processor.
Thus, the total license requirement for SQL Server 2016 is now calculated from the number of cores per processor.
However, it must be taken into account that Microsoft has introduced the following rule: At least 16 core licenses are required for each server, i.e. 8 2-core license packages. The reason is that Microsoft has generally set this as the lowest number of cores. This means that engines with an actual lower number of cores can still not be licensed at a lower price. However, unlike licensing with the Server/CALs package, no additional CALs are required.
Buying licenses for Microsoft SQL Server 2016 at a low price at Wiresoft
Depending on whether you want to purchase licenses for Microsoft SQL Server 2016 with 2-Core or Server/CAL products, at Wiresoft you will receive both license packages as original Microsoft licenses - and at a particularly favorable price. This is because we offer you a price advantage through the sale of unused software licenses, which were acquired by European companies absolutely legally through us. According to the legally valid decision of the European Court of Justice, software products such as server licenses may be resold. Therefore, you can be sure to purchase a fully operational license package from Wiresoft, all licenses have been thoroughly checked by us beforehand. Many enthusiastic customers already use our license offer. If you have any questions about your Microsoft SQL Server 2016 licensing, please contact us.
