How are Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions licensed?

With the launch of Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition and Windows Server 2016 Standard edition, Windows Server licensing transitioned from being processor-based to being core-based.

For both Standard and Datacenter editions, the minimum number of core licenses required equals the number of physical cores on the licensed server, subject to a minimum of 8 core licenses per physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses per server. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs as well as optional 16-packs (for convenience). Eight 2-packs and one 16-pack are priced the same and provide equivalent use rights. However, point counts may vary, so MPSA and Open Volume customers should assess which pack sizes work best for them.