Microsoft SQL Server’s licensing model is complex and so is its down grade rights mechanism. Several deployment options are available for customers of SQL Server 2017 to support a variety of upgrade and downgrade scenarios.
What are Downgrade Rights?
Downgrade Rights allow customers who have acquired the latest version of software, to use/deploy an earlier version of that same software. This is helpful in scenario where customer is not ready to migrate to the later version of the Software.
What Downgrade Rights are available in Microsoft SQL Server 2017?
Downgrade rights are available for SQL Server 2017 and customers can use prior versions of the software in place of the currently licensed version. SQL Server 2017 downgrade rights can be combined with the cross edition rights that allow customers to deploy an alternate edition in place of currently licensed edition.
Deployment Options for SQL Server 2017
| Customer’s license | Available Deployment Options | |
| Edition | Version | |
| SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition Server | SQL Server Standard Server | 2017 or earlier |
| SQL Server Workgroup | 2008 R2 or earlier | |
| SQL Server for Small Business | 2008 R2 or earlier | |
| SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition Core | SQL Server Standard Core | 2017 or earlier |
| SQL Server Web (non-SPLA only) | 2008 R2 or earlier | |
| SQL Server Workgroup | 2008 R2 or earlier | |
| SQL Server 2017 Enterprise Edition Core | SQL Server Enterprise Core | 2017 or earlier |
| SQL Server Business Intelligence | 2014 or earlier | |
| SQL Server Standard Core | 2017 or earlier | |
| SQL Server Datacenter | 2008 R2 or earlier | |
Do I have downgrade rights to deploy SQL Server 2012?
No, SQL Server 2017’s downgrade rights do not allow you to deploy SQL Server 2012. You must purchase SQL Server 2016 and then downgrade it to SQL Server 2012.
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