CALs on Windows 2003 server

[xyzzy]

We are thinking of setting up a departmental server and looking at
Windows 2003 Server Standard. It will mainly serve as a file server
and host Firebird (Interbase) SQL server. I am a little confused with
the CAL scheme. Does a 5 CAL license only allow 5 simultaneous
connections? I think not since even an NT4 workstation allowed upto 10
simultaneous file sharing connections. What then is CAL for? MS site
offers little info. Thanks.

 

[William]

Depends on if you are in per server mode or per seat mode.

Per server: need a CAL for every connection made to that server only - 20
workstations connecting 20 CALs needed. If you have 2 servers in per server
mode and 20 connections are made to both you would need 40 CALs - at that
time it would be wise to switch to per seat mode.

Per seat: every workstation has a CAL and can connect to all servers on your
network

If you only have one server and never plan to grow beyond one server then
per server would be ok. Anything more then one server then you should use
per seat mode.

Personally I would always use per seat mode regardless.

Workstation allowing 10 connections as no bearing on server licensing. You
either need a license for every connection or a license for every
workstation.

You can always call Microsoft licensing if you have any questions - they do
not charge for purchase or licensing info.

 

[xyzzy]

You
either need a license for every connection or a license for every
workstation.

Thanks, this helps. It seems that we will have to seriously consider
Linux as an alternative.

 

[William]

SCO wants to sue Linux distributors, they state that over 1 million lines of
SCO UNIX code were stolen and used in Linux. Oddly enough SCO wants $650.00
per CPU by a certain time frame after that it doubles $1,300.00. HP says it
will protect all its customers that purchased Linux on their servers as long
as the kernel is not altered.

http://zdnet.com.com/2251-1110-1001807.html

Just one article of thousands, search google for sco and Linux.

 

[xyzzy]

SCO wants to sue Linux distributors, they state that over 1 million lines of
SCO UNIX code were stolen and used in Linux. Oddly enough SCO wants $650.00
per CPU by a certain time frame after that it doubles $1,300.00. HP says it
will protect all its customers that purchased Linux on their servers as long
as the kernel is not altered.

SCO's lawsuit has just about a snowball's chance in hell of affecting
users.