SQL Server 2000 and Licensing Question

[pvrrev]

I am in the process of ordering a version of SQL Server 2000 Standard. The server will be sitting behind a firewall and will not be accessed directly from anyone outside the firewall. The Server is to be used to store databases for client-server applications and databases used to generate webpages via IIS 5.x and ColdFusion Server.

The question I have is the licensing requirement for the IIS (through Cold-Fusion) server to connect to the SQL server. Would the connection from the IIS box to the SQL box be considered 1 CAL even though the web server may be generating numerous web pages for many surfers? Or would each person hitting our website that would than require access to the SQL server in order to generate the web content require their own SQL CAL?

 

[fluteplr]

As far as I can understand MS licensing on this here goes.

Any web based access requires a per processor licence not a per user license.

A per processor license gives you unlimited users per processor per box. (A two processor box requires 2 per processor licenses unles you configure SQL server to only use one processor.)

So CALs don't matter.

 

[tlbroadbent]

You don't need Per Processor licensing if all client devices are inside the firewall and identifiable. You would require a server license and CALs for every device that connects to SQL Server. This means each user needs a CAL not just the IIS Server.

Microsoft indicates that Per Processor licensing is usually the best choice when there are more than 25 users with SQL Standard Edition and more than 75 users with SQL Enterprise Edition. The true cutoff point depends on number of processors, discounts available, etc.

Chek out the licensing and pricing info on the MS SQL Server site.

How to Buy/Licensing Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/production.asp

SQL Server Processor Licensing Clarification

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/multiplexmktbulletin.asp

Server/Per-Seat (CAL)

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/servercal.asp

Multiplexing: Using Middleware, Transaction Servers, and Multi-Tiered Architecture

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/multiplexing.asp

Processor License

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/processor.asp

Terry L. Broadbent - DBA
Computing Links:

http://tlbroadbent.home.attbi.com/prog.htm

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