sharepoint WSS with windows server 2003 advice 2

[JacobTechy]

I have tried to configure sharepoint team services with visual safe source for document version control on a w2k server. However since their is no concrete instruction on how to do this I have been unsuccessful in doing so. My next option is to setup a site using our windows server 2003 with Windows SharePoint Services. I have not downloaded the service tool yet. The server is located in our remote office which is why I did not want to use it but I have no choice since I need document version control.

Does anyone know how much it will cost per user for WSS license. Our windows server 2003 is a domain controller and so I am not sure if it is a good idea to run WSS on this system. Any advice before proceeding.

 

[Thomas2000]

Hello,

Windows SharePoint Services is a part of the Windows 2003 license, so there is no additional costs for you to run WSS.
As long as this server is accessed by persons employed at your company there should not be a need for any Windows Server External Connector licenses either, that is only needed if external resources (such as non-employees) are accessing SharePoint.

You can install WSS on a domain controller (I have not done it myself, but others have done it successfully and without problems). Do a search on the net and you should find lots of information about it.

Best Regards,
Thomas

 

[JacobTechy]

Thanks Thomas

After installing WSS on our Windows 2003 server I have to add the users (username&password) to access certain departmental websites created with WSS. Would each of these added users take up one license for the server? I am afraid that I am going to have to buy more windows 2003 licenses. Currently I have only purchased 10 licenses. The licensing mode is per server for 10 concurrent connections. The WSS users setup are within our WAN but do not have domain accounts so I will create them using Active Directory account creation mode. Since WSS is free for Windows 2003 server does this mean users added to access WSS websites dont need a license?

 

[ouzojd]

Jacobtechy, the wonderful world of MS licensing is an ever changing ever evolving world that requires law degrees in 4 seperate countries to interpret yet maybe not still understand.

Anyway this is how I see you situation at the moment and I am happy for anyone to correct me.

You need a Win 2003 server licence.

Every person that accesses this server in anyway needs a win 2003 CAL (Client Access Licence).

You only need an external connector licence if you are going to host a site for external users. Note the external connector is unlimited but doesnt cover internal users.

I think you'll find concurrent licenses dont exist anymore but if you say you have them, maybe I'm wrong on that. I'm in Australia so maybe they have different licensing laws where you are.

Users dont need any licences to access a wss site apart from their win 2003 CAL.

If you end up using Sharepoint Portal Server users will also need a CAL each for that.

Also if you are running SQL2000 instead of the desktop engine, all your users who access a WSS Site will need a SQL2000 or 2005 CAL.

Hope this helps, sorry to be the bearer of bad news (unless your name is Bill Gates)

 

[JacobTechy]

thanks for your advice.

I called a Microsoft License Specialist and they said that I need a win 2003 cal to access a WSS web site anonymously or authenticated.

I called a Microsoft reseller and they said I should not need a cal for anonymous access to the WSS website since its not authenticated or accessing a server program.

However on the Eula is says that if the user access the server anonymously though the internet then no cal is needed. But I guess since it will be accessed by internal employees only and not the public then I do need cals.

So I guess my concurrent connection cals cover the access to the WSS sites unless the limit of 10 connections is reached.

This licensing is so confusing!

 

[Thomas2000]

Hello,

We had long discussions with MS here regarding licensing, it sure is not easy.

The answer we finally received was the following:

Internal access you need Win2003 Server CALs
External acces (from internet or external non-employees) you need Win2003 Server External Connector licences (which is a form of CAL licenses).

Regards,
Thomas