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Accepted
Marko Carter
Asked: 2009-07-15 03:13:28 +0800 CST

SQL Server 2005 version comparison / differences [duplicate]

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

SQL Server isn't really my strongpoint but at the moment I've got to spec a new server on the Dell website and I was confronted with the following options:

Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Workgroup Edition with 5 Client Licenses - English [add £510.00]
Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Workgroup Edition, Single Processor License - English [add £2,730.00 or £149/month-1]
Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Workgroup Edition, Dual Processor License - English [add £5,500.00 or £251/month-1]

I understand why the dual processor licence is more expensive than the single processor, but what is the difference between the 'Workgroup Edition with 5 CALs' and the 'Workgroup Edition, Single Processor Licence', ie why is the latter more than 5 times the cost?

sql-server-2005 licensing

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    With Client Access Licences you need one licence for each client that connects. A processor licence alows unlimited clients connecting to SQL running on that processor. That's why it's expensive! NB One processor <> one core. Once processor means e.g. one Core 2 Quad. These days I favour buying single quad cores over twin dual cores for just this reason.

    JR

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  2. John is correct - This link at Microsoft goes into the details.

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