SQL Server licensing with SA for Distributed Availability Group

In the context of SQL Server Distributed Availability Groups (DAGs), licensing considerations can be complex. Each replica in your setup requires a SQL Server license, and the licensing model can vary based on whether you are using Standard or Enterprise editions.

For your specific scenario:

• Region A: You have 3 replicas (2 read-write and 1 HA replica). Each of these replicas will require a license.
• Region B: Similarly, you have 3 replicas (2 forwarders and 1 HA replica), which will also require a license.

In total, you would need 6 licenses (3 for Region A and 3 for Region B) assuming all replicas are running SQL Server and are not covered by any other licensing agreements.

Regarding Software Assurance (SA) benefits, they can provide additional flexibility and cost savings. With SA, you may have access to license mobility, which allows you to move licenses between servers, and you might also benefit from additional disaster recovery options without incurring extra licensing costs for passive replicas.

However, you typically need to treat each Availability Group separately when it comes to licensing, as each AG can have its own set of replicas and licensing requirements. There are no specific benefits that apply to Distributed AGs as a whole beyond what is available for standard AGs.

It's advisable to consult with a licensing specialist or Microsoft representative to ensure compliance and to understand the full scope of benefits available under your specific licensing agreement.

References:

• Distributed availability groups
• Business continuity and database recovery - SQL Server

Yes, having Software Assurance helps when you set up a distributed AG, I know that much. But else I will need to refer you to the SQL Server Licensing Guide.

If you feel uncertain after having read the licensing guide (which I seem to recall come with reasonably clear examples), you should contact your local Microsoft representative. This forum is a technical forum, and your question is of legal matter, so you cannot really get authoritative answers here.