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Need SQL Server 2019 Standard Setup Support for SSRS/SSIS on Separate Azure VM (PAYG)

Jimin Dev 20 Reputation points
2025-07-28T12:02:42.38+00:00

We have a Linux VM in Azure running SQL Server 2019 Standard (Pay-As-You-Go), provisioned via Marketplace. We're restructuring and moving SSRS/SSIS to a separate Windows Server 2019 VM (also in Azure).

During SSRS setup on the new VM, it's asking for a product key. We’re not running the DB engine on this new VM — only SSRS/SSIS components.

Can we:

Use our existing PAYG SQL license to activate SSRS/SSIS on the new VM?

Get a product key from Microsoft for this use case?

Looking for a compliant solution without provisioning another SQL Server license.

Thanks in advance!

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
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  1. Jose Benjamin Solis Nolasco 5,216 Reputation points
    2025-07-28T14:07:05.2233333+00:00

    @Jimin Dev I hope you are doing well,

    SQL Server licensing is per Operating System Environment (OSE). This means that even if you're only installing SSRS or SSIS on a separate VM (without the Database Engine), you still require a valid SQL Server license for that VM.

    In your scenario already explained:

    • Your Linux VM running SQL Server 2019 Standard (PAYG) is properly licensed.

• Your Windows VM hosting SSRS/SSIS is a separate OSE and, therefore, requires its own SQL Server license, even if the database engine is not installed.

    Even though SSRS and SSIS are components of the SQL Server suite, Microsoft licensing treats each OSE/VM independently.

    Options to Remain Compliant:

    1. Use a SQL Server PAYG VM from Azure Marketplace

    • Deploy a Windows Server VM with SQL Server 2019 Standard (PAYG).

• The license is included in the hourly rate, and you can install SSRS/SSIS without a separate product key.

    2. Use SQL Server Developer Edition (non-production only)

    • If the VM is used strictly for development, testing, or PoC, you may use SQL Server Developer Edition for free.

• This supports SSRS/SSIS but is not licensed for production workloads.

    3. Bring Your Own License (BYOL)

    • If you have Software Assurance or Volume Licensing, you can assign an existing SQL Server license to the Windows VM.

• Make sure license mobility is covered in your agreement.

    Reference:

    • [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2019-pricing](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2019-pricing)

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  1. Oury Ba-MSFT 21,101 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator
    2025-07-29T00:11:25.9033333+00:00

    @Jimin Dev Thank you for reaching out.

    In addition to @Jose Benjamin Solis Nolasco's answer above.

    The software components of a single SQL Server license can't be separated. Any operating system environment (OSE) running any of the licensed components, requires a license. Hence running SSRS/SSIS to a separate Windows Server 2019 VM will require separate license. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/integration-services/service/integration-services-ssis-in-a-cluster?view=sql-server-ver17

     Product key: If a SQL Server VM is deployed with image from the Marketplace, the product key is embedded in the VM and can be retrieved in two main ways:

    Option 1: Use the SQL Server Setup Wizard

    1.      RDP into your Azure VM.

    2.      Navigate to: C:\SQLServerFull\

    3.      Launch Setup.exe.

    4.      In the setup wizard, go to the Maintenance tab and select Edition Upgrade.

    5.      The wizard will display the pre-filled product key used to license the SQL Server engine.

    6.      Copy this key and cancel the wizard.

    Option 2: Read from DefaultSetup.ini

    1.      Navigate to: C:\SQLServerFull\x64\

    2.      Open the file DefaultSetup.ini in Notepad.

    3.      Look for the line starting with PID=, which contains the product key.

    4.      Copy the key for use in other installations (e.g., SSRS/SSIS on another VM).

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