Windows Server 2K3 Domain Controller cal licensing question

[netadmin06]

Hello IT Experts,

I have 5 servers (details below) in my network and 70 client computers ( Most 's clients have Windows XP Pro , about 2 with Win 98 and 2 with Win200 Pro

2 Windows 2000 servers:
2 windows 20003 servers one of which is the DC
1 NT Server

How should I have my CALs licesing setup?? (obviously the least licenses that I have to purchase the better.

1 of the Windows 2000 servers has multiple shares and probably has about 50 of the client computers accesing those shares at the same time.

The second Windows 200 server has also shares but has probably about 15 users accessing those shares at the same time

The NT Server has a program that is being accessed by about 10 clients at the same time. (the program data files reside in the server and the the XP machines has the program client loaded to access the program on the server

One of the Windows 2003 servers has a program and has also shares that are being accessed by about 20 users at the same time.

The remaining Windows 2003 Server is a DC and a Printer Server ( for 8 printers )it authenticates all users to the network and has also shares that are being access by about 20 users at the same time it is also a DHCP and DNS server.

I would like to know how many CAL's I should have ??? Should I add the totals and get 115 CALs?? Can I get less? Should I have it in per server more? per user mode?.....What would be my best bet as far as having my licensing setup?? Thanks for your help

 

[cajuntank]

You should have a total CAL count for however many devices you have authenticating to your domain. So if you have 70 client computers, you will need a total of 70 Windows 2003 CAL (device... your option is device or user; I was told one time to get "device" if your DC is 2003, "user" if DC is 2000).

As long as everything is in the same domain (maybe even same forest, have to look that one up myself), your good.
Hope that helps.

 

[Davetoo]

Simplest option is to obtain 70 user CAL's for W2K3. That will allow all of your users to access any of your servers without concern that they have the right license, etc.

You don't have to worry about domains/forests, your only concern is for every user in AD you have a corresponding CAL, and CAL's are backwards compatible, so your W2K3 CAL is good for W2K.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[netadmin06]

That is great!...thanks, I guess all I have to do is buy 70 CALs for my Win2k3 DC and set it up a "per device" right?? because I have 90 users but only 70 computers. (some users share the same computer)

 

[Davetoo]

Yes, do it per user/device, not per server.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[kmcferrin]

The device or user question comes up a lot, and it really depends on how you use your PCs. If you have more machines than users, get user CALs. If you have more users than machines (common in places where they work in shifts like call centers, hospitals, etc), then get device CALs.

If people will access the servers from outside the network (i.e., outside business partners, remote users, etc) then you'll need licenses for them as well. Usually you would want 1 device CAL for each PC, then another 25% or so of that in user CALs for remote access, etc.

 

[netadmin06]

That is great advice! Thanks for all the information!