I have determined that the licensing scheme for Microsoft's server products is really surprising. By "surprising", I mean that it violates my expectations for how ownership works.
Basically, in addition to the OS license itself, you're supposed to have a Client Access License for every user or device that will be served by that product. These don't appear to be actually enforced by software, but they're needed so you can comply with the Microsoft licensing agreement and not get fined if you get audited.
If you use user CALs, every physical person that is served by the machine needs a CAL. (CALs are assigned to a server.) If you use device CALs, every device needs a CAL. "Device" includes both workstations and network appliances, and DHCP clients!
In summary, it seems that Windows Server can be installed without CALs, but legally, CALs are required.
No comments:
Post a Comment