Server 2008 CALS

[Guest_imported]

Hello,

i am currently upgrading server 2003 enterprise and exchange server 2003 enterprise to server 2008 and exchange server 2007 (2010 with rollback until first service pack)

my question is about the cals

i did not set the current servers up, so im not sure what package was posted. but currently i know that i have never had an issue with CALs when adding a device, user, or email address to any of our systems. active directory ect.

while talking to microsoft and some other resellers they are telling me to buy 75 device cals at 24$ a peice for server 2008 and 75 user cals at roughly 60$ per user for the exchange server

do i actually need all of these CALs? if so why dont i use them on the current setup? not really sure the process involved with cals.

any help/feedback is appreciated.

thanks

Jeff,

http://www.kranichs.com

http://www.blaircountylawnservice.com

 

[baddos]

Legally you need the CALs. You have some options for the windows CALs based upon how you want to deploy it (per user/per device).

The CALs are not enforced via the software, but you are obligated to buy them though. You can add a million computers to your domain and have 0 cals with everything still working although you would be in breach of the contract.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/client-licensing.aspx

 

[Hondy]

Yep, as Baddos says, it will technically work without but you would be unlicensed without them. If you have 75 PCs with 60 users of Exchange then you need the 75 device CALs and 60 Exchange User CALs. All you get for your money is a couple of lines in your MS licensing portal, you won't actually get anything for it like any install sofware. So you pay a load of money and you get the rights to connect to the servers.

If you haven't actually bought the servers yet you might consider using an outsourced mail provider, that way they get stuck with all the licensing costs usually. You are looking at $6300 just to update the CAL licensing, plus the hardware for exchange plus the actuall MS server licenses. Perhaps even Office upgrades. Plus you have to manage it all yourself.

We used to host our own mail services but instead of upgrading we outsourced it and I'm much happier with it, it's not for everyone but its an option.

 

[Guest_imported]

we have tried to pitch the idea of online exchange hosting - itsl ike 5$ a user, comes out to about 400$ monthly or something but they handle all updates ect. and the server is their problem.

owner not to interested like the privacy of having it in house.

the owner beleive that originally he bought 50 cals so im going to see if they have the standard license agreement or whatever to be roll them over to the new system. someone mentioned that on a different forum

if not i might just go with 50 users 50 devices and take a chance on being audited

wed only be behind like 20 cals so i doubt it would be horrible.

Jeff,

http://www.kranichs.com

http://www.blaircountylawnservice.com

 

[kmcferrin]

I think that you will find that unless you bought the correct level CALs at the time that you will have to buy all new CALs, i.e. Windows 2003/Exchange 2003 CALs do not apply to Windows 2008/Exchange 2007.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[Guest_imported]

I wasn't here when the cals where bought

but i thought if they are standard agreement cals that they could be rolled over to the upgrades?

Jeff,

http://www.kranichs.com

http://www.blaircountylawnservice.com

 

[kmcferrin]

I am not familiar with "standard agreement" CALs. If you bought them as part of an Enterprise Agreement or had some sort of SA for the CALs then they might upgrade, but if they were a one-time purchase and you don't have an EA then I don't see how they would upgrade.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator