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Accepted
Martin
Asked: 2009-05-19 03:12:13 +0800 CST

Microsoft Server Client Access Licensing [duplicate]

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

As I understand it, and feel free to correct me if I am wrong, My OEM copies of Server 2003 or Server 2008 are supplied with 5 CALS.

Additionally, a User CAL means that the named user can connect to any server I may have.

Does this mean that if I buy two copies of Server 2003 I in effect am fully licensed for 10 users to access both servers?

Much appreciated.

Edited for pedants.

licensing cals

5 Answers

  1. I think the image below on Microsoft's Windows Server Licensing page should explain it:

    enter image description here

    You basically have to options when you're licensing your server: "per server" and "per user/device". Running your site in "per user/device", you should be allowed to access all servers.

    Per User or Per Device Mode:

    A separate Windows CAL (of either type) is required for each user or device that accesses or uses the server software on any of your servers.

    [...] If you choose this licensing mode, your choice is permanent. You can, however, reassign a Windows CAL from one device to another device or from one user to another user, provided the reassignment is made either (a) permanently away from the one device or user or (b) temporarily to accommodate the use of the Windows CAL either by a loaner device, while a permanent device is out of service, or by a temporary worker, while a regular employee is absent.

    Disclaimer: To be sure, I would contact Microsoft Sales or your software dealer.

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  2. Best Answer

    Yes, though not all kinds of Windows Server licenses include CALs. But let's say these ones does and 5 per copy at that (I think that can vary as well?) - then it's pretty simple really (but always call your Microsoft Licensing Partner beforehand - they should be very helpful with any questions on this topic).

    Edit: Added clarification from Jay Michaud about not all server licenses actually including CALs.

    If you buy two Server licenses which both explicitly includes 5 CALs, you've then got 10 CALs. So far so good.

    You now have to decide which licensing scheme to use, there are several:

    • Server-side
      • Per seat or per server
    • Seat-side (if you chose per seat)
      • Per device or per user

    A seat is a device or a user - meaning that each user OR client pc needs to have one CAL each. With this CAL, they can connect to any number of servers in the domain. The actual Access License resides with the user or the client pc when in "per seat" mode - giving them licensed access to anything in the domain. This license follows the user/device around but is unique to that user/device and a tad complicated to reallocate.

    A per server license is defined for a single server, which then serves a number of concurrent connections instead. As you'll need one CAL per server AND connection - this mode is rarely used because it will require rather specific circumstances to be cheaper (requiring less CALs overall).


    You are also always allowed to have up to 2 administrators accessing a server without any CALs at all - as long as those users/devices/connections are only for administration and not actual user scenarios.

    There are rules on how you can mix and change the licensing schemes which are rather restrictive at times but not something I'd dive into here without an expert - but just so you know ^^

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  3. No. If you buy a full packaged product (FPP) of Windows Server (that is, an off-the-shelf box version), it may include some number of user or device CALs (probably 5, 10, or 25). If, however, you purchase Windows Server under a volume licensing program, no CALs are included.

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  4. Thanks to all for the help. As suggested I contacted Microsoft Licensing and they confirmed the following:

    Thank you for contacting us about Microsoft® Windows Server® 2003.

    Yes that is correct if you had 2 Windows Server 2003 and 10 Windows Server 2003 User CALs. Then all 10 users will be able to access both the Windows Server 2003.

    It doesn’t matter if you obtained the CALs separately (i.e. 5 CALs each) for both the servers.

    I've accepted Oskar Duvenborns answer because it most closely matches the Microsoft response - but thanks to everyone else who answered - it was most helpful.

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  5. Well, this is a very sticky subject, as sometimes Microsoft does not even know their licensing! A CAL is either per device or per user, so I would assume the same as yourself for a single server: 5 CAL's == 4 simultaneous users || 4 simultaneous devices (reserve 1 CAL for an administrator to login to the console)

    Now with 2 servers, that is still only 4 users per server, not 8 per server like your question suggests (minus the 2 administrator CAL's)

    Only Microsoft Licensing would be able to fully answer your question.

    Update: QuarkIT.com.au tries to explain this in simple terms

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