Home / server / Questions / 394776
In Process
Gregory MOUSSAT
Asked: 2012-06-02 08:03:45 +0800 CST

Windows 2003 SBS: no more CAL sold [duplicate]

  • 772

Possible Duplicate:
Can you help me with my software licensing issue?

I just discovered a hidden unmanaged server into a remote location.
This is a Windows 2003 SBS with 5 CAL per device.
There is currently 12 computers connected. So I want to buy more CALs.

But SBS 2003 CALs are not sold anymore.
Neither SBS 2008 CALs, which can be downgraded to 2003.
And 2011 CALs can't be downgraded to 2003.
So no legal solution if we want to stay with 2003. Sort of programmatic obsolescence.

We can upgrade the server to 2011. But I'd like to let him as is (I don't "repair" working servers, and this often lead to bigger problems, especially on those non managed servers).
Anyone see another solution ?

windows-server-2003 windows-sbs-2003 cal

1 Answers

  1. I Am Not a Lawyer.

    Stop reading right now.

    I'm surprised the CALs can't be downgraded, but I haven't had to look at downgrade rights recently. If it were me, I might very well just buy the newer CALs and ignore the downgrade issue. At least you'd be able to show you made an attempt to remain legal if you were ever audited. You'd also have the CALs if that system is ever replaced or upgraded to 2011.

    • 6