New User-based License Options
- Summary of the New Licensing Options
New Options for Microsoft Server Licensing
In December 2002, Microsoft announced new options for licensing Microsoft server products to address your business needs. These new options are particularly beneficial if you seek user-based licensing or a cost-effective way to allow your business partners and end-customers access to your licensed server software.
New User-based Server License Option
Microsoft has introduced user-based server licensing in the form of a User Client Access License (User CAL). The User CAL option will allow you to acquire a single CAL for an individual user that accesses server products from any number of devices instead of acquiring a CAL for each of those devices. Generally, User CALs benefit organization with more devices than users.
A Device CAL is still available. The Device CAL is licensed to an individual device that accesses Microsoft server products. Generally Device CALs benefit organizations with more users than devices.
The following basic guidelines will help you understand User CALs.
Generally, the User CAL option will be introduced with new versions of most server products that are licensed on a Server CAL basis. Microsoft currently anticipates the next version of the following products to include the User CAL option:
- Microsoft® Windows® Server
- Windows Server Terminal Server
- Microsoft Exchange Server
- Microsoft SharePointâ„¢ Portal Server
- Microsoft SQL Serverâ„¢
As an exception to the general rule of introducing the User CAL option with new product versions, SQL Server 2000 will introduce the User CAL option in May 2003.
- A Core CAL with user-based rights, or Core User CAL, will be available for the April 2003 launch of Windows Server 2003, at which time the User CAL and External Connector License options will be introduced.
- Customers may purchase the Core User CAL through the Enterprise Agreement (EA) Platform via the new EA with Core User CAL enrollment or the Select Agreement.
- Customers with Device CALs enrolled at the time of launch in Software Assurance (SA) through Open, Select, or EA agreements, or Core CALs acquired under an EA, will have the one-time right to convert any or all of these CALs to User, per the following rules:
- SA for the Device CALs must be in effect at the time the User CAL option is initially introduced for the corresponding server product. In the case of Core CALs under an EA, the EA enrollment must be in effect when the Core User CAL is initially introduced in April 2003.
- Customers may exercise the one-time option to switch eligible Device CALs to User CALs at any time during the remainder of the SA coverage period or term of the EA enrollment.
- Customers will not be able to mix Core Device CAL and Core User CAL within a single EA enrollment. All Core CALs acquired under an EA enrollment must be either device-based CALs or user-based CALs.
- As a general rule, all customers with CALs enrolled in SA will be able to switch between device-based and user-based upon renewal of the CAL SA coverage.
New External Connector License Option
External Connector licenses allow an unlimited number of external users to access an organization’s licensed Microsoft server products. External Connector users include partners and end-customers but not hosted services users.
Improvements to the Per Processor License Option
Microsoft has also introduced improvements to the Per Processor License model, which applies generally to Microsoft eBusiness server products. These changes will be particularly beneficial to those customers who utilize hardware partitioning, software partitioning or software emulation, or who install and run multiple instances of a server application on a server. These improvements are as follows:
- Customers must acquire licenses for only those processors that are accessible to any operating system copy upon which the server software is set up to run.
- Customers may install and run any number of copies of the server software on a server provided that the required number of processor licenses has been acquired.
Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services
Microsoft has recently announced the introduction of new licensing options to address customers’ business needs and to complement the technical capabilities of Microsoft Server Products. This is part of an ongoing effort to make licensing more consistent, predictable, and flexible. These new changes will first be available with the release of Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003, which includes the functionality of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services and therefore affects the licensing of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services.
The new options will be particularly beneficial to those who seek user-based licensing, who would like to provide server access to their end-customers or partners, or who run solutions that leverage multiple Microsoft server products.
Summary of the new licensing options
User Client Access License (User CAL)
The User Client Access License (User CAL) is designed to provide you with a manageable and cost-effective way to allow your users to access server software from any device. The User CAL eliminates the need for you to obtain a Device CAL for every device from which a particular user accesses your server software. If you prefer the current model, Device CALs will still be a licensing option. In general, you will have the option of acquiring Device and/or User CALs for new versions of Microsoft server products that are licensed on a Server/CAL basis. You should make this decision based on your own business needs.
a. For example, a company whose executives and sales people access Microsoft Windows Server from multiple devices (e.g., a work PC, a home PC, and a wireless PDA), would now be able to purchase 1 User CAL for each of those people rather than purchasing multiple Device CALs.
b. In comparison, a company whose employees share devices (e.g., a call center) may still opt to purchase 1 Device CAL for each device accessing the server software.
External Connector for External Users
The External Connector license is designed to provide you with a manageable and cost-effective way to allow your business partners and end-customers access to your licensed server software. For many, the External Connector license will be a simplified solution because it eliminates the need to count and purchase individual CALs for each business partner or end-customer accessing the licensed server software. This option will generally be available for new versions of Microsoft server products that are licensed exclusively on a Server/CAL basis (i.e., products without a processor-based licensing alternative). External Connector licenses cannot be used for hosting.
For example, a company that allows both suppliers and their end-customers to access its servers may have difficulty counting and tracking individual CALs for these users. As an alternative, this company would be able to purchase the External Connector license for each copy of the server software accessed by an unlimited number of their suppliers and/or end-customers.
Removal of the Operating System Equivalency Provision
As part of this announcement, Microsoft also announced that the provision for Operating System Equivalency (OS equivalency provision) will not apply to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services. The OS equivalency provision states that there is no need for a Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services Client Access License (CAL) for devices accessing Microsoft Terminal Services that are running a corresponding version of the Professional Edition of the Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System.
Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services Version Corresponding Versions of Windows Desktop Professional
Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services Microsoft Windows 2003 Professional (or later version of Windows Professional) Microsoft Windows NT® Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition (Terminal Server was a separate product at the time of this version release) Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (or later version of Windows XP Professional)
This decision was made based on:
- Additional features/functionality that have been added to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services.
- The OS Equivalency provision that was inconsistent with Microsoft’s new software licensing framework, in providing consistent and flexible licensing terms.
Microsoft realizes that the removal of the OS Equivalency provision for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services will affect some customers and is committed to ensuring that existing Microsoft customers who would like to take advantage of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services features have a cost-effective way of doing so. As a result, we have developed a transition plan to provide a cost effective means for existing Volume Licensing customers to migrate to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CALs, upon product launch.
New Value added to Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services
Microsoft has added new functionality to Microsoft Terminal Services in the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 release. This release of Microsoft Terminal Services software will provide more business value than previous releases and the additional functionality will provide customers with a better out-of-the-box solution. The following is a summary of some of the improvements that customers will be able to take advantage of:
Better User Experience
Advanced Resource Redirection: (Disk drives, Local and Network Printers, Serial devices, Smart Card, Clipboard, Time zone, Audio output, Windows key combos)
Hi Color (Up to 24-bit), 1600×1200Enhanced Manageability
WMI, Group Policy, ADSI, MMC Snap-In, Software Restriction Policy
Microsoft Windows System Resource Manager (WSRM) – Included in Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise EditionIncreased Scalability
Scale-up: improvements to scalability in larger SMP systems
Scale-out: support for Load Balancing (Session Directory)Enhanced Security
128-bit bi-directional RC4 encryption
FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) Encryption Level
Smart Card Support
Consistency with Microsoft’s New Software Licensing Framework
The introduction of the new options for licensing Microsoft software products that are licensed in the Server CAL model reflects our commitment to making licensing more consistent, flexible, and valuable to customers. We received feedback from customers that the OS Equivalency provision was inconsistent with those qualities for the following reasons:
- The OS Equivalency Provision resulted in situations where customers were at risk of becoming noncompliant. In the past, if you were using the most current version of the desktop operating system, then you were granted access to Microsoft Windows Terminal Services in the Microsoft Windows Server Operating System. But if you upgraded to a new server operating system and didn’t upgrade your client operating systems, you were required to acquire Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services CALs. Depending on your client upgrade cycles, you could easily find yourself moving in and out of compliance with licenses. This caused customers a great deal of frustration and confusion.
- Microsoft Windows Terminal Services is adding the User CAL and External Connector options to solve many customer problems encountered with our previous Microsoft Windows Terminal Services licensing models. Keeping the OS Equivalency Provision, in conjunction with the new CAL options, would result in you having to do complicated calculations to figure out what to buy and when.
- The new licensing model for Microsoft Windows Terminal Services in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is more consistent with the Microsoft Windows Server licensing model. We received feedback from numerous customers that the licensing of Terminal Services was highly confusing, largely due to the OS Equivalency provision. Because Microsoft Windows CALs and Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services CALs are both required when using Microsoft Windows Terminal Services, having the same license structure removes a layer of complexity.
Transition Plan for OS Equivalency Removal in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services
Microsoft realizes that the removal of the OS Equivalency provision will affect some customers and is committed to ensuring that existing Microsoft customers who would like to take advantage of Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services features have a cost-effective way of doing so. As a result, we have developed a transition plan to provide a cost effective means for existing Volume Licensing customers to migrate to Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services CALs, upon product launch.
The following table summarizes the migration path to
Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services CALs for customers by agreement and license type, at the time of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Launch.
| Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services CALs | ||
| Open License | Microsoft Windows Desktop Professional Edition Upgrade L&SA/UA, with UA/SA active at the time of launch of Windows Server 2003 | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and SA/UA coverage during remaining term of SA/UA. |
| Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Upgrade L | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL | |
| Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System license (any edition or version other than Microsoft Windows XP Professional), not including SA/UA. | Either 1) Acquire Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade License before the launch of Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services and receive a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL, or 2) Acquire a CAL for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services | |
| Current Terminal Server Work at Home CAL | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL | |
| Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services CAL (any version other than Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services.) | Either 1) Acquire Microsoft Windows XP Professional before the launch of Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services and receive a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL, or 2) Acquire a CAL for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services | |
| Terminal Services CAL&SA/UA, with UA/SA active at the time of launch of Windows Server 2003 | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and SA/UA coverage during the remaining term of SA/UA. | |
| Select License | Microsoft Windows Desktop Professional Edition Upgrade L&SA/UA, with UA/SA active at the time of launch of Windows Server 2003 | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and SA/UA coverage during remaining term of SA/UA. |
| Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Upgrade L | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL | |
| Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System license (any edition or version other than Microsoft Windows XP Professional), not including SA/UA. | Either 1) Acquire a Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade license before the launch of Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services and receive a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL, or 2) Acquire a CAL for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services | |
| Terminal Services Work at Home CAL | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL | |
| Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services CAL (any version other than Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services) | Either 1) Acquire Microsoft Windows XP Professional before the launch of Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services and receive a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL or 2) Acquire a CAL for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services | |
| Terminal Services CAL&SA/UA, with UA/SA active at the time of launch of Windows Server 2003 | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and SA/UA coverage during the remaining term of SA/UA. | |
| Enterprise Agreements (active enrollments) | Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System enrolled in an EA that is active at the time of launch of Windows Server 2003 | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and maintenance coverage during remaining enrollment term. |
| Terminal Services Work at Home CAL | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and maintenance coverage during remaining enrollment term (unless otherwise stated in your agreement). | |
| Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services CAL (any version)(without Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System Upgrade) | Receive Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CAL and maintenance coverage during remaining enrollment. | |
- Note, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services CALs can be either User or Device CALs. However, Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Services will not be able to accommodate downgrades for User CALs (i.e. a Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services User CAL cannot be downgraded to a Microsoft Windows 2000 Windows Terminal Services User CAL) because Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services (and prior version) technologies only support Device CALs.
CAL Options
Microsoft CAL (Client Access License) Guide
What is a Client Access License (CAL)
If your company’s workstations are networked, you will utilize a network server and the workstations on the network will access that server(s) software to perform certain functions such as file and print sharing. In order to legally access this server software, a client access license or CAL may be required. A CAL is not a software product; rather it is a license that gives a user the right to access the services of the server.
Due to the technical nature of server products, CAL licensing can be a complicated area. We have created the following information to help you determine the need for CALs.
Below you will find information on a variety of Microsoft Server products and the licensing of CALs as it relates to those products. Before you read about how CALs apply to each product, a section on “Per Seat,” “Per Server,” or “Per Processor” licensing will be helpful:
Per Seat Licensing
With Per Seat licensing, any number of licensed computers and/or devices can be used to connect to the server. However, you must purchase CALs for each client computer and/or device where access to services is needed such as file and print, or Microsoft server applications. The following is a diagram illustrating Per Seat licensing:
Per Seat licensing is available for Windows 2003 Server, Windows NT Server, Exchange Server, SQL server, Site Server, SNA Server, Systems Management Server, Mobile Information Server, and SharePoint Portal Server.
Per Server Licensing
With Per Server licensing, a specified number of CALs are associated with a particular server. The number of devices that can legally access that server simultaneously is limited in Per Server licensing to the number of CALs purchased for that particular server. For example, if your organization chooses to deploy Windows NT Server in Per Server mode, purchasing 50 CALs will allow up to 50 devices to be connected to that server simultaneously. Because CALs in Per Server deployments are not permanently associated with a specific device, if your organization adds another Windows NT Server, and remains deployed in Per Server mode, separate Windows NT CALs will be required to access the second server. With Per Server deployments, the system administrator designates the number of CALs that apply to the server during setup, based on the number that have been purchased for that server. The following is a diagram illustrating Per Server licensing:
Per Server licensing is available for Windows 2003 Server, Windows NT Server, SQL Server 7.0, Site Server, and Site Server Commerce.
Per Processor Licensing
Under the Per Processor model, a customer acquires a Processor license for each processor running their server software. A Processor License includes access for an unlimited number of users to connect from either inside the corporate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) or outside the firewall. Customers do not need to purchase additional server licenses, CALs, or Internet Connector Licenses.
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