New Net Admin, help with Win2K3 Licensing setup

[netadmin06]

Hello I just took over a new job as the Net Admin and I am a little confused about the way the licensing is configured:

There are 5 servers in the network (there is only one subnet 192.168.0.x)

Server 1 is The Domain Controller is a Win2K3 Server and when I go to licensing in control panel it says "Per Server number of concurrent connection 25"

Server 2 is another Win2K3 (member server)and also when I go to licensing in control panel it says "Per Server number of concurrent connections 25"

Server 3 is a Win2K server (member serveR) and when I go to licensing in control panel it says "Per Server number of concurrent connections (blank)".....there us NO number indicating the amount of licenses ....

Server 4 is another Win2K server (member server)and when I go to licensing in control panel it says "Per Server number of concurrent connections 10.

Server 5 is a WinNT 4.0 server (member server ) and when I go to licensing in control panel it says "Per Server 70 concurrent connection"

My questions is... I am now getting a brand new Win2K3 server with 50 CAL's and I want to make this server also a domain controller but what would be the best way to setup the licensing on this new server? Per Device? Per user?...I will have about 70 computers loging in to the domain.....also what do i do with the other servers licensing method?? should i change anything to them?..Thanks

 

[tesaka57]

If you do a quick search in google "client access licenses server 2003" you'll find a link to an overview of CALs.

When choosing per user vs. device, you should figure out whether you'll be needing all 70 at the same time, multiple users on one box, users using multiple boxes, etc.

There are also modes you can choose

 

[netadmin06]

Well there will be no multiple users on one box, only 1 user per box...users will be using multiple boxes neither...and out of the 70 maybe 50 will be connected at once

 

[tesaka57]

You can't "reuse" the win2k ones with the win2k3 server, so to remain "legal" in MS terms you'll have to get new licenses. Seeing you have per server mode, you can read what it means below:

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. (This does not change the per server connection allowance of one CAL per one connection.)

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.