One of our new SQL business applications is running on a virtual machine, on an ESXi host, SQL 2014, Windows server 2012R2. VSphere 6.5.
The SQL is a 6 month evaluation, with two months left before expiration.
There are 2 ESXi hosts and VMware is configured HA, so the VM can be switched to the other server.
The size of the SQL database backup is 13GB.
A quote has been received for a full SQL licence that would allow the VM to be moved between the two ESXi hosts.
Purchasing MS software assurance along with the SQL avoids the 90 day constraint on moving the VM.
The quote for the SQL including SA, over three years, comes to over 80,000 (yes, eighty thousand pounds). This is more than we have paid so far to build the whole VMware system.
It would not be necessary to have full SQL licence mobility. If the ESXi server failed and the VM was moved to...