How many CAL's do I need? 4

[Newb2IT]

Hello to all, I currently have 3 servers, 2 of them are domain controllers (WIn2K3) and another WIn2K file server (the domain controllers have some shares as well). I have 50 computers in my Domain Network, I have 75 users
(they share computers), there is never the need for more than 50 users to be logged into the network at the same time. My question is this: Do I need to purchase 150 CAL's and distribute them as 50 for each server?? (50 CAL's for DC1, 50 CAL's for DC2 and 50 CAL's for the Win2K server)

 

[mofusjtf]

I believe all you should need is 50 W2k3 Device CALs. That should cover all three server.

 

[Davetoo]

Simplest method to guarantee compliance is to purchase 75 user CAL's. If you have Exchange or other services, those may require their own separate CAL as well.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[Newb2IT]

mofusjtf, wow that would be great and would save me money, are you sure about that information? I do not have any other servers or services in my domain. Just 3 above mentioned servers

 

[Newb2IT]

Davetoo only 75?? or 75x3?

 

[Davetoo]

No, if you get user CAL's instead of device CAL's, then you only need one for each user to access any server in your domain(s).

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[Newb2IT]

Thanks allot.

 

[mofusjtf]

If I understand this link, your best approach is to purchase 50 Device CAL's and put your server(s) in Per Device licesning mode.

http://www.microsoft.com/korea/resources/sam/lic_cal_win2003_server.mspx

 

[Davetoo]

in which case he would have to purchase fifty licenses for each of his three servers, or he could simply purchase 75 user CAL's and move on to a real problem.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[Newb2IT]

Davetoo, so I purchase 75 user cal's and then tell each server that it has 75 licenses? or do I need to do that only to 1 server? (configure it with 75 cals)

 

[Davetoo]

You can turn off the licensing service on the servers, they're useless.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[Newb2IT]

Turn them off on all but one server right? I need to tell 1 server that I have 75 cal's correct?

 

[Davetoo]

No, you don't. You only need to prove that you purchased enough CAL's to cover your site if an audit were to occur. Regular server/client CAL's aren't a big deal, you just have to have them. If it was a TS, then you would have to load them up in the TS licensing, but you haven't indicated that and didn't respond to my comment regarding Exchange or other services so the assumption is you're just dealing with regular old CAL's. Buy 'em and forget 'em unless someone asks to see them.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[Newb2IT]

Thanks that is all I needed to know

 

[mofusjtf]

Dave, I understand Per Server licensing to require 50 CAL's for access to each server and Per User/Per Device to allow access from one device across multiple servers. Using the information below from the link provided earlier is how I draw this conclusion. Am I incorrect in this interpretation?

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.

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.

I just want to be sure I'm understanding this correct.

 

[Davetoo]

If the fifty users access the three servers at the same time, then each of the three servers would require fifty device CAL's.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[Newb2IT]

ok now I am confused........all of my 3 servers have shares...that means that users access all servers at the same time and I guess I need 75 cals' for each server??(total 75x3) I thought I only needed 75

 

[Davetoo]

<sigh> Last post from me in this thread...get 75 USER CAL's and you're all done.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[pagy]

Ok, I don't want to confuse anyone here but my understanding is of MS licensing is that 50 Device CALS are sufficient here.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/caloverview.mspx

You have 50 computers accessing resources on multiple servers, according to the above link, and my interpretation of it, is that 50 device CALS are what you require here.

From the above link;
Device-based or User-based Windows Client Access Licenses
There are two types of Windows Client Access Licenses from which to choose: device-based or user-based, also 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 employees who need access to the corporate network from unknown devices (for example, when traveling) and/or an organization with employees who access the network via multiple devices.


Paul
MCSE 2003
MCSA 2003
MCITP Enterprise Administrator

If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams

 

[manic47]

You only need 50 device CALs, these are valid no matter how many servers you are accessing.
Per server licencing is no more....

Or you could get 75 user CALs if you want