Windows CAL Pricing
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Windows CAL
Windows Server
Windows Server 2003 is a multipurpose operating system capable of handling a diverse set of server roles, depending on your needs, in either a centralized or distributed fashion.
Client Access Licensing
Microsoft offers flexible, cost-effective options for licensing the Windows Server™ 2003 family of products. Similar to previous Windows Server licensing models, one server license is required for each copy of the server software installed. In addition, a Windows Server 2003 Client Access License (CAL) is required for each user or device (or combination of both) that accesses or uses the server software.
Client Access Licensing Requirements
Client access licensing requirements have been updated for Windows Server 2003. In previous Windows Server licensing models, Windows CALs were automatically triggered when particular server services were invoked. With Windows Server 2003, CALs are no longer triggered but are instead based on access and use. In other words, Windows CALs are required when accessing or using the server software. This holds true for all editions of Windows Server 2003, except Web Edition. Windows CALs are not required for Web Edition.
Note the following general exception to Windows CAL requirements:
- Windows CALs are not required when access to the server software is unauthenticated and conducted through the Internet.
- Authenticated access is defined as an exchange of user or application credentials between the server software and a user or device.
- An example of this exception would be if unidentified users browsed your public Web site.
- Windows CALs would not be required for those users.
Device-based vs. User-based Windows CALs
With the release of Windows Server 2003, there are now two types of Windows CALs to choose from—device-based or user-based, known as Windows Device CALs or Windows User CALs. This means you can choose to acquire a Windows CAL for every device (used by any user) accessing your servers, or you can choose to acquire a Windows CAL for every named user accessing your servers (from any device).
The option to choose between the two types of Windows CALs offers you the flexibility to use the licensing that best suits the needs of your organization. For example:
Windows Device CALs might make most economic and administrative sense for an organization with multiple users for one device, such as shift workers.
Whereas, Windows User CALs might make most sense for an organization with many roaming employees that need access to the corporate network from unknown devices and/or employees who access the network via multiple devices.
Client Access Licensing Modes
After you have selected a license type—Windows Device CAL or Windows User CAL, you have the option to use the server software in two different modes: Per User/Per Device mode or Per Server mode. Both modes are available for either type of license.
Per User or Per Device Mode
Per User/Per Device mode is defined as follows:
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.
The number of Windows CALs required equals the number of users or devices accessing the server software.
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.
Per User/Per Device mode tends to be the most economical designation for Windows CALs in distributed computing environments where multiple servers within an organization provide services across most devices or users.
*Note that Per User/Per Device mode replaces Per Seat mode, used in previous licensing models.
Per Server Mode
Per Server mode is defined as follows:
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.
The number of Windows CALs required equals the maximum number of users or devices that may simultaneously access or use the server software installed on a particular server.
The Windows CALs you acquire are designated for use exclusively with a particular server.
If you choose this licensing mode, you have a one-time right to switch to the other licensing mode-Per User/Per Device mode. Your Windows CALs (of either type) would then be used in Per User/Per Device mode instead.
Per Server mode tends to be the most economical designation for Windows CALs in computing environments where a small number of servers have limited access requirements.
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