Where does it say you need a maximum capacity license when running Windows Server in a VMware or other cluster where machines are moved? And why are Windows Server Datacenter licenses preferred?

Microsoft's product terms do not say this anywhere. You will not find /"maximum capacity/" in any of the terms. Microsoft taught me in 2008 that you need a maximum capacity license. This means that you need to license 30 virtual machines on each host, even if your host can only run 8 virtual machines but there are 30 machines in the cluster.

When we officially made the request to Microsoft, the answer to the rule was that a license must be assigned before it can be used. If something happens in this cluster and all of these machines are suddenly moved to one host, that host must already have the licenses assigned.

Data center licenses are always cheaper when there are seven or more virtual machines in the cluster.

Microsoft licensing is not always obvious.

——
Please see: /"SPLA Audit Readiness: Building a Compliance Fortress/"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v8GnS_4X0pg8
——

Please take the opportunity to connect with your friends and family and share this video with them if you find it useful.