Buy used Windows Server 2016 licences
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Microsoft released Windows Server 2016 in the volume licence programme on 15.10.2016. Much to the annoyance of a lot of IT administrators, Microsoft has switched licence models and adapted to newer server architectures with more cores. But there is also some good news. The subsequent release of Windows Server 2012 R2 offers several new features which make the work of IT administrators much easier, justifying acquisition. You can also buy a used licence from Software ReUse at significantly lower cost.
Which versions of Windows Server 2016 exist?
Windows Server 2016 was released in Essentials, Standard and Datacenter versions.
What is the difference between Windows Server Standard and Datacenter?
Both editions have almost the same range of functions. Acquisition of the expensive Datacenter licence is not therefore always necessary for Windows Server 2016; the Standard Edition is often perfectly adequate. The RAM limit for both is 24 TB and the CPU limit is a maximum of 512 cores.
The biggest difference is support for so-called “VOSE” (Virtual Operating System Environment). Whereas a maximum of 2 virtual machines are permitted in Windows Server Standard, this number is unlimited for the Datacenter Edition. However, the number of virtual machines can also be increased under licensing law – see our article „Windows Server Core Licensing“.
Auch diese features are also reserved for Server Datacenter 2016: Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica, Shielded Virtual Machines and new network stacks.
No storage replication was available for the Standard Edition of Windows Server 2016. On the other hand, the Standard Server for 2019 can replicate an individual volume with an individual target. The Datacenter Edition is capable of replicating any number of editions with any number of targets. Software-Defined Networking can only be operated in the network with the Datacenter edition; the Standard edition does not support this feature.
However, container support for two Hyper-V containers is included in the Standard edition. But an unlimited number of classical containers can also be operated without any problems with the Standard edition.
Details of the most important Windows Server 2016 features:
Data Deduplicationcan be further developed in Windows Server 2016 and is also available on virtual hard drives.
Windows Server 2016 can provide Docker-based containers. Windows Servers, Core Servers and Nano Servers can be used as container host.
The new Nano Serversare significantly slimmer again than Core Servers, consume around 90% fewer resources and do not have any local management tools. Servers are administered via the network or from the Hyper-V host if servers are virtualised. But active Software Assurance is required for this function.
Windows 2016 offers software-defined storage functions with Storage Spaces Direct This means the local data media from cluster nodes can be combined into one single cluster. Data are also replicated between local data memories, meaning that no data are lost if individual local data memories were to fail.
The new Cluster Operating System Rolling Upgrade function allows for the updating of cluster nodes with Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2016 and is also secured against server outages.
PowerShell Direct enables administrators to install server roles from PowerShell meetings of the Hyper-V host on VMs or to administer containers from several virtualised container hosts – including from Nano Servers – in PowerShell.
Storage Replikation allows for the replication of entire hard drives and of Storage Spaces Direct systems between data centres. Replication is carried out block-based and can be time delayed.
The new Shielded VMs allow for the separation of VMs from other VMs. This can also prevent virtualisation administrators being given access to sensitive data from virtualised personal servers, or compromised virtual servers affecting other servers in the network.
Thanks to cooperation with Microsoft Azure it is now possible, for example, to outsource a cluster’s witness server to Microsoft Azure. This means clusters can be created much more easily and in a more stable manner across data centres.
Important licensing information:
How is Windows Server 2016/2019 licensed? The new licence model explained in brief:
In contrast to Server 2012 R2, where server licences were issued based on CPUs, licences have only been based on cores of CPUs (“Cores”) since Windows Server 2016. Minimum licensing is 16 cores per server. You can find further information here with sample calculations on core licensing for Windows Server 2016/2019.
How can Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter licences be purchased?
Windows server licences used to be bought as a volume licence, system builder or OEM licence. In principle all these licence types are available as used licences from Software ReUse, but they can only be delivered depending on availability. In terms of administration, volume licences are always the easiest, since they have a standard product key and cannot go missing so easily.
Downgrade rights for Windows Server 2016 and down-edition rights:
If you do have to install an older version of Windows Server, it is important to be aware of downgrade rights.
| Version | Downgrade right |
| Volume licence | Windows Server 2012 R2 and earlier |
| FPP (Full Package Product) | Normally yes, see individual licence terms |
| OEM | Normally yes, but see its own OEM licence terms |
Down-edition rights Windows Server 2016
Windows Server Datacenter can also be installed as Standard, Essentials, Web-Server or HPC-Server 2012 R2.
All-important:
Product Use Rights (today: “Product Terms”) for the licensed version, not the downgraded version, are always applicable. This is particularly relevant with consideration for the CPU-based licence model for Windows Server 2012 R2 and earlier. The server must therefore be licensed based on cores as if Windows Server 2016 were installed.
Also important:
Although you have the downgrade right, Microsoft does not provide you with a product key.
For how long does Microsoft provide support for Windows Server 2016?
| Version | End of support |
| Windows Server 2016 Standard & Datacenter | Mainstream Support 11.01.2022 Extended Support 12.01.2027 |
Buy used Windows Server 2016 licences and save money
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Legal Notice – Used Software
Windows Server 2016 used licences with documentation
Windows Server 2016 licences, as offered by Software ReUse, are exhausted software in the legal sense. After examination of the software and legally compliant transfer of the licences, the software may be sold by us. You as the buyer have the same rights as with new software. This saves you up to 75% on the purchase compared to the new price.
We buy the licences we offer from other companies that either no longer have a need for them or are changing software. These are often so-called volume licences. In this licensing model, the software is released for several workstations or computers. As a buyer of used Windows Server 2016 licences, you do not make any concessions compared to the new product and are entitled to regular security updates and support. If you are interested, find out more about all the facts about used software.
Proof of exhaustion
With Software ReUse, you receive detailed documentation on the arrangement of the rights to use the software for its intended purpose together with the product key of the exhausted software. We provide you with all the information you need to prove exhaustion in the event of an audit by the software manufacturer. This also includes information on the previous acquirer and his declaration of cancellation.
We document how the software was originally put on the market, what remuneration the rights holder received for it, to what extent a right of use was granted by the rights holder and whether updates are included. Our software thus not only fulfils the requirements of the European Court of Justice (ruling C-128/11), but also the requirements set by the German Federal Court of Justice.
Buy conveniently online or we will advise you personally
At Software ReUse you can buy your Windows Sever 2016 key conveniently in our online shop. We offer all common payment options and you will receive your product key by post after receipt of payment.
Do you need different licences or would you like personal advice for other reasons? No problem! Just give us a call or send us a message via the contact form.
We have already answered many of your questions in our FAQ for the used software trade.
Mag. Stefan Tauchhammer, MBA
Managing Director Software ReUse
Reporting on Software ReUse
