Tag Archive for: Server

Microsoft Server client access license

A server client access license (CAL) is a license that gives users and devices the legal right to accessMicrosoft server software installed on a server.

Server client access license (CAL) overview

When you sell a copy of Windows Server, the customer will receive a server license permitting installation of the operating system on one computer. A server license by itself does not provide the legal right for others to connect to that computer, whether they work for the company or not. Instead, each user needs a client access license (CAL).

Customers will need a CAL for each employee, or each employee device, that accesses the Windows Server installation, but not for anonymous users who access it over the Internet.

Server CALs are cost effective and affordable, allowing customers to pay only for the licensing they need with the option of buying more as their businesses grow.

Device CAL

With a Device CAL, you purchase a CAL for every device that accesses your server, regardless of the number of users who use that device to access the server. Device CALs may make more economic and administrative sense if your company has workers who share devices, for example, on different work shifts.

Users CAL

With the User CAL, you purchase a CAL for every user who accesses the server to use services such as file storage or printing, regardless of the number of devices they use for that access. Purchasing a User CAL might make more sense if your company’s employees need to have roaming access to the corporate network by using multiple devices, or from unknown devices, or if you simply have more devices than users in your organization.

Server CAL requirements by product

Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 user and device CALs should be purchased separately for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 products as shown in the table below. The Windows Server 2012 CALs may be used for prior Windows Server Versions. The CALs may be bought in packs of 1 and 5.

Windows Server 2008

1 Supports a maximum of 15 user accounts.
2 Supports a maximum of 25 user accounts.

Selling Server CALs

Any time you sell a server preinstalled with Windows Server software, you should also offer server CALs to the customer at the point of purchase. Server CALs are often overlooked during a sales transaction, but they can be key revenue generators for partners and Microsoft. For more information about server CALS, see the Windows Server 2012 R2.