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SQL Server 2005 license

Can somebody please tell me how to check for license expiration date for a sql server 2005 install ? The current install was done using a download from msdn and I didn’t have to punch in a key during the install. Does this mean this is a free trial for a limited period but we may have to eventually "activate" the license when the trial period expires ? Regards.

YOu need not to enter such keys in SQL 2005, only you need to have paper license when such Audit is perfomed.
DOn’t worry licensing has been changed in SQL 2005, readhttp://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/faq.mspx and specifically on this topic. Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.
Satya, That’s good to know. But what about "how to check for licensing for an existing install" – are there any commands
to do this ? Thanks.
See thishttp://blogs.msdn.com/sqlblog/archive/2006/11/10/tracking-license-information-in-sql-2005.aspx fyi. Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.

That’s exactly what I was looking for – great! One last question about licensing – since we don’t need to enter any keys for sql 2005, does this also mean that the msdn (sql server 2005 x64) download that we are using doesn’t have an expiration date but we have to buy a (paper) license (esp. for auditing purposes)?
Unless you haven’t installed or used any EVALUATION edition you are safe to go and there isn’t any expiry set on the application. For all the SQL instances that are used must have valid paper licenses, refer to the link above for furthe information. Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.
Unfortunately I don’t know if the edition downloaded was an EVALUATION edition or not – is there
a way to determine this ?
Run SELECT @@VERSION and see the results. Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.
Here’s the results: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – 9.00.1399.06 (X64) Oct 14 2005 00:35:21
Copyright (c) 1988-2005 Microsoft Corporation
Enterprise Edition (64-bit) on Windows NT 5.2 (Build 3790: Service Pack 2) Does this mean it’s not an EVAL edition ? So there’s not expiration date
for this edition as such right ?
Evaluation edition shows as Enterprise Edition when you run SELECT @@version… I am not sure how to check this…
MohammedU.
Moderator
SQL-Server-Performance.com All postings are provided “AS IS” with no warranties for accuracy.

I don’t think there is any way other than checking the installation date… https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=257649&wa=wsignin1.0
MohammedU.
Moderator
SQL-Server-Performance.com All postings are provided “AS IS” with no warranties for accuracy.

Sounds good, thank you.
SELECT CONVERT(char(20), SERVERPROPERTY(‘Edition’)) will get you more information. Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.
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