information about licensing and patching SSAS [closed]

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I have one server for data warehousing, and it has 2 instances of SSAS (SQL SERVER Analysis Services).

The data warehouses are not that big, less that 200GB, and I backup the whole thing on a daily basis.

Now they have asked me to patch\upgrade it:

Thank you yes, this indicates it is a 2016 SP1. The reason I ask is that, as I indicated on Friday, when we tested the creation of measures (e.g. year-to-date net applications) in Power BI from a live connection to your Analysis Server, this caused unexpected errors. Our research shows that this is very probably caused by your Analysis Server version, and the solution is to install a Cumulative Update (CU) 3 for SQL Server 2016 SP1, or a more recent CU (as you can see in the list on the left of the page, these go up to CU 11). As far as we know these are free to download, but you may need to ask your consultants for help.

I wish I had different servers for LIVE and TEST environments. Where can I find information about the costs of licensing involved for a small server just to run a SSAS instance?

I am talking about a simple, single, machine, with windows server 2012 R2 and the latest ssas.

Also, patching for SSAS is anyhow different from sql server?

I find licensing costs a tricky topic sometimes, with not-so-clear or contradictory information around.

Answer 1

from the comments (specially hot2use)I realised that Licensing is NOT our scope and I need to contact Microsoft in order to clarify those matters.

I also understood that patching SSAS is patching the sql server and I will include it in my normal schedule.

How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2016?

Applying cumulative updates:

and after applying SP2 the new version of my SSAS is:

Answer 2

At the notion of sounding sarcastic, I will actually answer the qeustion you DO ask. Note that Licensing specifics are off topic here, so the answer is general.

Where can I find information about the costs of licensing involved for a small server just to run a SSAS instance?

At the same place you find the cost of licensing SQL Server in general, as it is part of SQL Server.

THAT SAID: development environments are often better licensed via MSDN.

patching for SSAS is anyhow different from sql server?

Patching for SSAS IS patching for SQL Server. SSAS is a module in SQL Server.

I find licensing costs a tricky topic sometimes

Then learn them. Most people find databases confiusing, you still can learn them. As a development lead (or whatever) tasked with that - it is your job to know your way around those. I would suggest taking some months off and looking into an alternative career in medicine or law - THEN you will start looking at stuff that is "not so clear and sometimes contradictory". IT is actually trivial if you spend some time in it, even licensing, compared to becoming a lawyer. Part of the job. And we can not help you - licensing costs MAY well be company specific depending what programs you are in.

Now, if you check SQL Server build numbers, yours are OUTDATED. Current is 13.0.5216.0, September 21 2018. Yours is an update August 2017. Not even current service pack level. Definitely needs patching, and definitely needs a separate system to validate. I generally make it a rule to update quarterly minimum.