Server Licensing

[boab1965]

Hi all,

I'm looking after a Win2K network that consists of 2 Win2K servers, Server 1 and Server 2. Server 1 is the main DC, exchange server, profiles area and holds the users home folders. Server 2 is the BDC and holds all the data files.

I'm looking at moving exchange from Server 1 to it's own. I'm looking at the licenses for Win2K and Exchange to get costs for the new server.

I'm new to this so bear with me.

I've read about per seat and per server licensing and most of what I've read indicates that you should use one or the other and decide at install.

I've looked at the licenses we have here and there are X per seat and Y per server.

Can someone explain how many users/PCs can access the network with this setup? Is it X+Y users can access Server 1 but only X users can access Server 2

If I add a new server, Server 3, do I have to purchase server CALs or will the existing servers CAL be OK. Server 3 would ideally be Server 2003 and Exchange 2003.

Sorry if this all sound confusing.

Robert

 

[Roadki11]

I realize the following link is for W2K3 but the licensing is about the same. Look at the pic at the bottom of the article, it should help clear this up. It really depends on how your users utalize the servers.

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

RoadKi11

 

[Davetoo]

How many users total do you have in your network?

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215

 

[Davetoo]

and how many per user licenses do you already have?

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215

 

[boab1965]

Thanks for all the responses.

We have 55 per seat licenses on the server and 40 Per Server licenses for Win2K. We also have 30 per seat licenses fro Exchange 2000.

Number of PC in the company is approx. 60

I'm assuming that if I go to Server 2003 and Exchange 2003 I'll have to purchase CALs for each product for the number of PC we have?

Robert

 

[Davetoo]

If you have 55 per seats, you only need to purchase 5 more per seats and you're in compliance for the servers. Then buy 30 more per seat licenses for the Exchange and you're again in compliance, assuming all 60 users have a mailbox?

You'll have to purchase 2003/2007 CAL's, but they're backwards compatible.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215

 

[boab1965]

I thought that once the licenses had been used up then the next person couldn't log on to either the network or Exchange depending on the license?

Robert.

 

[Davetoo]

Nope, it's all on the "honor" system, nothing will stop your users from being able to log on and access information on the servers or the Exchange server.

But, you do want to have the correct amount of CAL's, because the penalty if you're caught isn't worth you going to jail is it? Me neither. (I know...extreme case, but it could happen)

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215

 

[boab1965]

What's the point of having licenses if the system isn't going to enforce them?

I've use License managers for other products and if you hit your limit that was that. No one got to use the product.

I thought that was how the CALs worked in Server 2000 and Exchange 2000.

Thanks for clearing that up.

If I bought a new Server and put Server 2003 and Exchange 2003 I'd have to buy 60 Server 2003 CALs and 60 Exchange 2003 CALs?

This is going to get expensive.

Thanks again

Robert

 

[Davetoo]

You are correct, you would have to purchase new CAL's for the new OS/Exchange.

As for the expense, depends on what you deem expensive. Those 60 CAL's may cost your company about $4000...not having those 60 CAL's may cost you time in jail.

Up to you...I license everything per the agreement with the software makers when I installed their software. Part of doing business.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215