Azure Hybrid Benefit（Azure Hybrid Benefit）

Use Windows Server or SQL Server for cost-effective migration to the cloud.

  • Use Azure Hybrid Benefit and Reserved Instances, save up to 55% of the cost on Windows Server;
  • Use Azure Hybrid Benefits when migrating to Azure SQL database 1 saving up to 30% 2 of the cost;
  • At your own pace - migrate some workload or an entire datacenter;
  • Maximize using current Software Assurance Investment.

Accelerate your digital transformation

Now is the time to move to Azure and enjoy the advantages of cloud technology, which include: scaling up or down quickly, paying only for what you use, and saving on compute power. Whether you are deploying new virtual machines, moving some workloads or migrating your data centers as part of your hybrid cloud strategy, Azure Hybrid Benefit provides significant savings as you move to the cloud.

Please visit https://aka.ms/why5xmore for more price advantage brought by Microsoft Azure Hybrid in Global Azure Platform

Windows Server SQL Server

Digital transformation enables customers to maximize the value of their Windows Server license

Similar to other popular Microsoft solutions such as SQL Server and SharePoint, customers can now use their existing Windows Server licenses in combination with Azure and take full advantage of this benefit to scale data centers to the cloud smoothly.

Lower virtual machine prices

With the A-HUB (Azure Hybrid Use Benefit) plan, customers can deploy and run special price Windows Server virtual machines in Azure using local Windows Server licenses covered by Software Assurance (SA). Customers then only need to pay the basic virtual machine costs at the same rates as Linux virtual machine costs

(refer to the Virtual Machine Pricing Details page).

Flexible, cloud-ready licensing modes are supported

With the A-HUB benefit plan, customers can scale part of their organization's workload or their entire data center to the cloud, creating cloud-ready architecture that fits the needs of the organization.

Get this great value benefit now

If a customer’s license does not include Software Assurance (SA), then now is the best time to consider subscribing. With a Software Assurance Agreement, customers can save up to 20% on Azure instance usage (this depends on factors including usage, instance type, and data center location).

To subscribe to Software Assurance, please contact your Microsoft Account team.

Data Center Edition License with Software Assurance Standard Edition License with Software Assurance
  • Two virtual machines can be deployed with each dual processor license, with up to 8 cores per virtual machine.
  • Save up to 20% on Azure deployment costs.
  • Each license can be used both locally and in Azure.
  • Two virtual machines can be deployed with each dual processor license, with up to 8 cores per virtual machine.
  • Save up to 20% on Azure deployment costs.
  • Each license can either be used locally or in Azure.

Case analysis

A-HUB-comparison

This example shows the costs that customers can save compared to other public clouds by running Windows Server through Azure. Customers only need to pay for basic computing resources after using a local Windows Server license with Software Assurance.

How to participate in the A-HUB benefit plan

  • Confirm eligibility and calculate licenses. For each Windows Server dual processor license with Software Assurance, customers can run two virtual machines with up to 8 cores or a 16-core virtual machine, whichever is lower in price.
  • Upload image file. You need to create a Windows Server virtual machine locally using Windows PowerShell, add the Azure Hybrid Use Benefit tag to it, then upload it to Azure.
  • Benefit from significant savings. Azure will subsequently bill at the non-Windows virtual machine rate.


Special tip:

1. This plan is only valid for genuine Windows Server software and assurance (SA) customers within the validity period. 21Vianet will audit users who use the plan and make necessary adjustments to user prices based on the audit results, and/or request customers to make up the balance from their previous bill.

2. Reminder that CPP and A-HUB (Azure Hybrid Use Benefit) cannot overlap or be shared: If your virtual machine already contains multiple deals, you will only be eligible for individual discounts which cannot overlap or be shared.

3. The CPP plan is a yearly service for virtual machines. It currently only applies to Online Service Premium Agreements.

Save up to 30% on Azure SQL Database with Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server

By using an existing SQL Server license, you can maximize your current Software Assurance investment to save up to 30% on vCore-based SQL Database options.

Save up to 30% now

Get more benefits for virtualized workloads in SQL Database

SQL Server license replacement value

SQL Database vCore-based options

SQL Servers have software guarantees

For Azure only: Get more for virtualized workloads

SQL Server Enterprise Edition customers who have Software Assurance and use unlimited virtualization benefits can migrate to SQL Database at a cost-effective rate.

When the General Purpose option is selected, Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server can offer Server Enterprise Edition customers with Software Assurance 4 cores in the cloud for every 1 on-premises core. The General Purpose option best meets the needs of virtualized workloads and can be implemented in a cost-effective way to migrate to SQL Database.

Activate Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server

Already using Azure?

Register an SQL Database Managed Instance from the Azure portal or via Azure Marketplace.

Try out an SQL Database single database or elastic pool from the Azure portal or via Azure Marketplace.

FAQ

Overview Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server
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  • What does this benefit offer for Windows Server on Azure Virtual Machines?

    Azure Hybrid Benefit helps you get more value from your Windows Server licenses and save up to 40 percent* on virtual machines.

    Each 2-processor license or each set of 16-core licenses, Datacenter or Standard Editions, are entitled to two instances of up to 8 cores, or one instance of up to 16 cores. Datacenter Edition licenses allow for simultaneous usage both on-premises and in Azure. Standard Edition licenses must be used either on-premises or in Azure, although customers get 180 days of concurrent use rights while they are migrating their servers.

    *Datacenter Edition licenses deployed on Azure Dedicated Host at the host level (licensing all of the physical cores on the server) are limited to 180 days of concurrent use rights while they are migrating their servers.

  • What is the base compute rate?

    Base compute rate is the rate used to calculate the Azure Hybrid Benefit. It’s equal to the Linux rate for virtual machines.

  • Can I use my Windows Server licenses both on-premises and in the cloud?

    Windows Server Datacenter edition licenses can be used both on-premises and in Azure. Windows Server Standard edition licenses converted from on-premises to Azure can no longer be used on-premises.

  • How do I activate the Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server?

    To use Windows virtual machines with the Azure Hybrid Benefit, do one of the following.

    • Deploy VMs from one of the Windows Server images provided on the Azure Marketplace.
    • Upload a custom VM and deploy using a Resource Manager template or Azure PowerShell.
    • Convert existing VM in Azure to the Azure Hybrid Benefit cost for Windows Server.
    • Apply Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server on virtual machine scale set as well.

    Learn more.

  • Do I need to use Azure Marketplace gallery images or Azure portal images for virtual machines that match my Windows Server Standard edition and Datacenter edition licenses?

    There’s no need to match the image with your edition. If you own Standard edition, for example, you can use the Datacenter edition images. We offer four images you can use with either Datacenter edition or Standard edition licenses:

    • Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
    • Windows Server 2012 Datacenter edition
    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter edition
    • Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition
    • Windows Server 2019 Datacenter edition
  • Can I apply this benefit to existing VMs on Azure?

    Yes. The retroactive tagging feature enables you to tag your existing VMs. Learn more about how to convert existing VMs on Azure to use the benefit.

  • Does the 90-day license reassignment rule in the Windows Server Product Terms apply to the Azure Hybrid Benefit?

    Yes, the rule requires licenses to stay allocated to Azure under the Azure Hybrid Benefit for a minimum of 90 days. Licenses can be reallocated to new VMs on Azure at any time.

  • How many Azure virtual machines do I receive with my on-premises licenses?

    For every 2-processor Windows Server license or set of 16 core Windows Server licenses covered with Software Assurance, you’ll receive either of the following in Azure.

    • Up to 2 virtual machines with up to 8 cores
    • One virtual machine with up to 16 cores
  • Can I run virtual machines with more than 16 cores?

    Yes, you can run virtual machines with more than 16 cores by stacking licenses. For example, for two 2-processor licenses or 32-core licenses, you can run a virtual machine with up to 32 cores.

  • Is Windows Server that’s licensed through the Core Infrastructure Suite program eligible for the Azure Hybrid Benefit?

    Yes, if you licensed Windows Server through Core Infrastructure Suite (CIS), you can use the Azure Hybrid Benefit. However, the System Center component in CIS is not covered.

  • What does this benefit offer for Windows Server on Azure Dedicated Host?

    Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server on Azure Dedicated Host can be used in three ways:

    • Standard edition: Customers with Windows Server Standard edition are entitled to 2 instances, similar to how Azure Hybrid Benefit applies to Windows Server on Azure Virtual Machines on shared servers. Each 2-processor license or each set of 16-core licenses are entitled to two instances of up to 8 cores, or one instance of up to 16 cores. The Azure Hybrid Benefit for Standard Edition licenses must be used either on-premises or in Azure although customers get 180 days of concurrent use rights while they are migrating their servers.
    • Datacenter edition for VMs: Customers with Windows Server Datacenter edition can apply their Azure Hybrid Benefit either to individual VMs or to the entire host. When licensing individual VMs, each 2-processor license or each set of 16-core licenses is entitled to two instances of up to 8 cores, or one instance of up to 16 cores on Azure Dedicated Host services. When allocated to Azure Dedicated Host services by VM, Datacenter Edition licenses also allow for simultaneous usage both on-premises and in Azure.
    • Datacenter edition for physical host: Customers with Windows Server Datacenter edition have unlimited virtualization rights when they fully license all of the cores on the physical host, but unlike when they license by VM, simultaneous usage on-premises is not allowed after a 180 days migration period.
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  • What is the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server?

    Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server is an Azure-based benefit that enables customers to use SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses to pay a reduced rate (“base rate”) on SQL Database vCore-based options, such as Managed Instance, vCore-based Single Database, and vCore-based Elastic Pool; on SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines; and on SQL Server Integration Services.

    Note: You can apply the Azure Hybrid Benefit even with an active SKU, but the base rate will apply from the time you select the benefit in the portal. No credit will be issued retroactively.

    The Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server provides:

    • The ability to move your licenses to a fully managed PaaS product. Azure is the only cloud that provides this ability. Amazon Web Services Relational Database Service (RDS) is not eligible for bring-your-own-license (BYOL) and must be offered as “license-included.”
    • Four cores in the cloud for every one core on-premises for Enterprise edition customers in the General Purpose or Hyperscale service tiers.
    • 180 days of dual-use rights to apply to current deployment (on-premises or on third-party cloud) and in Azure to allow for data migration.

    For a hosted solution with maximum savings, combine the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server with the Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server.

  • Who is eligible for this offer?

    The Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server is available to customers with either of the following.

    • SQL Server Enterprise Core with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses
    • SQL Server Standard Core with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses

    If you don’t have Software Assurance, you can purchase it with new licenses at list prices or with qualifying subscription licenses.

  • How does the Azure Hybrid Benefit work with Azure SQL Database?

    With Azure SQL Database, the benefit works as follows.

    • If you have Standard edition per-core licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses, you can receive one vCore in the General Purpose service tier for every license core you own on-premises.
    • If you have Enterprise edition per-core licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses, you can receive one vCore in the Business Critical service tier for every license core you own on-premises. Note: The Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server for the Business Critical service tier is only available for SQL Server Enterprise edition licenses.
    • If you have highly virtualized Enterprise workloads, you can receive four vCores in the General Purpose or Hyperscale service tiers for every core license with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription license you own on-premises. This is a unique virtualization benefit available only on Azure SQL Database.

    The Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server varies based on license footprint, as follows.

    LICENSE FOOTPRINT RIGHTS
    SQL Server Enterprise edition core with Software Assurance

    vCore-based SQL Database options:

    • Base rate on either General Purpose, business critical, or Hyperscale tier
    • 1 core on-premises for 4 cores in General Purpose or Hyperscale tier
    • 1 core on-premises for 1 core in Business Critical

      • SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines:

    • 1 core on-premises for 1 core Enterprise edition in Azure Virtual Machines
    SQL Server Standard edition core with Software Assurance

    vCore-based SQL Database options:

    • Base rate on General Purpose or Hyperscale tier only
    • 1 core on-premises for 1 core in General Purpose or Hyperscale tier

      • SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines:

    • 1 core on-premises for 1 core Standard edition in Azure Virtual Machines
  • How does the Azure Hybrid Benefit work with SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines?

    With SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines, the benefit works as follows.

    • If you have Enterprise Core licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses, you can receive one core of SQL Server Enterprise Core in Azure Virtual Machines for every one license core you own on-premises. You must allocate a minimum of four core licenses per VM.
    • If you have Standard Core licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses, you can receive one core of SQL Server Standard in Azure Virtual Machines for every one license core you own on-premises. You must allocate a minimum of four core licenses per VM.
  • What is the virtualization benefit, and is it available with the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server?

    The virtualization benefit available with Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server applies to highly virtualized workloads on-premises. The benefit is only available for Azure SQL Database. With it, you can convert one core of SQL Server Enterprise edition with active Software Assurance to receive up to four vCores of SQL Database General Purpose and Hyperscale tiers at the reduced rate. This makes moving virtualized applications to vCore-based SQL Database options highly cost-effective. For example, if you have four core licenses of SQL Server Enterprise edition, you can receive up to 16 vCores of SQL Database General Purpose at the reduced base rate.

  • How does the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server differ for Azure Virtual Machines vs. Azure SQL Database?

    The primary difference in the offer for SQL Server, as it applies to Azure Virtual Machines vs. Azure SQL Database, is that the virtualization benefit is only available on Azure SQL Database. You must also allocate a minimum of four core licenses when using Azure Virtual Machines. Learn more about the differences between SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines and Azure SQL Database.

  • Can I use my SQL Server license on-premises and in the cloud?

    Your licenses must be used either on-premises or in the cloud; however, to facilitate migration, we provide a 180-day grace period during which you can use licenses both in your current deployment and on Azure.

  • Do I need to keep my Software Assurance active to continue to pay the base rate for SQL Database vCore-based options?

    Yes. Maintaining active Software Assurance on your SQL Server licenses or qualifying SQL subscription licenses is required to continue to pay the base rate for SQL Database vCore-based options.

  • What happens to my Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server if my Software Assurance expires?

    To use the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server, you need to have active Software Assurance.

    If you have SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 but do not have Software Assurance, you can move to Azure via Pay-As-You-Go or Cloud Solution Provider(CSP) subscription licenses to receive extended security updates at no cost. To stay on-premises, you can purchase Software Assurance and/or a CSP subscription license to receive extended security updates on-premises via add-on licenses, or to qualify for the Azure Hybrid Benefit in the event that the servers are moved to Azure. Extended security updates are applied without additional fees under the Azure Hybrid Benefit.

  • Can I stack up on-premises cores for higher cores on Azure?

    Yes, you can stack up licenses. However, Standard edition licenses cannot be stacked up for an Enterprise edition-eligible service tier. For example, you can stack up 4 2-core Standard edition licenses to get 8 vCore General Purpose service tier licenses at a reduced rate; but you cannot stack your Standard edition licenses to receive Business Critical service tier licenses available only to Enterprise Core subscribers with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses.

  • As a SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) subscriber in Azure, what do I gain from the Azure Hybrid Benefit?

    The Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server gives you more value from your SQL Server licenses and savings of up to 55 percent on SSIS. You can apply the benefit to SQL Server Enterprise Core and Standard Core licenses covered with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses, and use your SQL Server licenses to run SQL Server SSIS packages on Azure at a lower base rate.

  • What are the license mobility benefits for SQL Server?

    If you’re a SQL Server customer with Software Assurance license mobility benefits, you can reassign your SQL Server licenses to third-party shared servers. This applies to unmanaged offerings in the cloud, such as virtual machines and hosted offerings. You must bring your own media and complete all compliance forms with the third-party cloud providers. You’re entitled to use one core in the cloud for every core you own on-premises, and you must run the same SQL Server edition.

  • What does the benefit offer for SQL Server in Azure Dedicated Host?

    Customers eligible for Azure Hybrid Benefit can use this benefit in Azure Dedicated Host under the same terms and conditions. Additionally, Software Assurance customers with SQL Server Enterprise edition who license the Azure Dedicated Host at the host level have unlimited virtualization rights. For customers migrating existing workloads to Azure Dedicated Host, there are 180 days of concurrent use rights. Learn more.

  • How do I use the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server and Windows Server together?

    The Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server and Windows Server can be used together when you use SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines. The recommended approach is to use Virtual Machines with Microsoft-certified BYOL SQL Server gallery images. On the Azure Portal, deploy Virtual Machines with Microsoft-certified BYOL SQL Server gallery images, and then select "Yes" to the "Already have a Windows license?" question.

  • How is the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server different in Azure Virtual Machines vs. Azure SQL Database?

    The primary difference in the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server between Azure Virtual Machines and Azure SQL Database is that the virtualization benefit is only available on Azure SQL database. Use this benefit when migrating from SQL Server Enterprise edition on-premises to Azure SQL Database General Purpose or Hyperscale service tiers. To learn more about the differences between SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines vs. Azure SQL Database, read the documentation.

  • What products are eligible for Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server?

    This hybrid benefit is only available for use with:

    • vCore-based service tiers of Azure SQL Database: Managed Instance, Single Database and Elastic Pool
    • SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines
    • SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
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  • What is the Azure Hybrid Benefit?

    The Azure Hybrid Benefit is a pricing offer that helps you maximize the value of your existing on-premises Windows Server and/or SQL Server license investment while you’re migrating to Azure. With it, eligible customers pay a reduced rate on Azure Virtual Machines (infrastructure as a service, or IaaS) and a reduced rate on Azure SQL Database (platform as a service, or PaaS) and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (IaaS).

    *Actual savings may vary based on region, instance type, or usage.

  • Which products are eligible for the Azure Hybrid Benefit?

    • Windows Server Standard Edition with Software Assurance
    • Windows Server Datacenter edition with Software Assurance
    • SQL Server Enterprise Core with Software Assurance
    • SQL Server Standard Core with Software Assurance
    • Azure SQL Database

    Note: Customers eligible for Azure Hybrid Benefit can use this benefit in Azure Dedicated Host (more details in Windows Server and SQL Server sections)

  • Can I apply the Azure Hybrid Benefit to products other than Windows Server and SQL Server?

    Azure Hybrid Benefit is applicable only to Windows Server Standard and Datacenter editions, SQL Server Enterprise Core and Standard Core, and Azure SQL Database. The benefit does not apply to SQL Server licensed under the server/CAL license model.

  • Who is eligible for this offer?

    Azure Hybrid Benefit is available to customers who own eligible SQL Server and/or Windows Server licenses with active Software Assurance or the equivalent qualifying subscription licenses.

    The offer is available in all Azure cloud regions.

  • How do I use the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server and Windows Server together?

    The benefits for SQL Server and Windows Server can be used together when you use SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines. The recommended approach is to use Azure Virtual Machines with Microsoft-certified bring-your-own-license SQL Server gallery images. In the Azure portal, deploy your virtual machines (VMs) with these images. You’ll be asked: “Already have a Windows license?” Reply: “Yes.”

  • What are the end-of-support offers for SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2?

    For customers unable to transition to the latest versions of these products before the end-of-support deadlines, we offer the Azure Hybrid Benefit and extended security updates to help protect data and applications during the end-of-support transition. In general, we recommend upgrading to the latest versions of our software, both on-premises and in the cloud (IaaS and PaaS), to help reduce security risks and continue receiving security updates. Learn more.

Other resources

Datasheet

Download a summary of the Azure Hybrid Benefit

Windows Server on Azure

Download the Ultimate Guide to Windows Server on Azure

Documentation

Review technical tutorials and more resources

1 Actual savings may vary based on location, instance type or usage

2 Savings based on two D2 v2 Promo virtual machines in West US 2 Region running 550 hours per month for 12 months, base compute rate at CentOS or Ubuntu Linux rate for West US 2, and Software Assurance cost (Level A) for Windows Server Standard edition (one 2-processor license or a set of 16 core licenses). Actual savings may vary based on location, instance type or usage. Prices as of June 2017. Prices subject to change.