MS client licensing

Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2003
Posts
16,520
Hi,

We're in the process of upgrading a lot of our servers and it's time to sort out our client licensing. It's a bit of a mess anyway and we're short of some licences so it's the right opportunity to sort things out.

We're only a small business so about 45 users. We're standardising all servers on 2012 R2 so need user CALs for these. I believe the days of servers shipping with 5 CALs are gone with 2012 R2 so we'll need a user CAL for everyone. I presume a single 2012 user CAL will still entitle that user to access all the 2012 R2 servers?

Exchange-wise, we'll be moving from 2010 to 2013 and will need user CALs for this too. Pretty much every user needs Exchange access, but we do already have 10 so only 35-ish needed here.

Lastly SQL is the one that's confusing the hell out of me. Using SQL 2012, should I now licence this per-core/processor rather than per user?

Basically wondering what the most cost effective solution is here. I'm aware of the Core CAL suite which would give me both the base user CAL and the Exchange one too but, as we don't use Sharepoint or Lync or any such stuff, it seems that might be far more expensive for no real benefit.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Hi,

We're in the process of upgrading a lot of our servers and it's time to sort out our client licensing. It's a bit of a mess anyway and we're short of some licences so it's the right opportunity to sort things out.

We're only a small business so about 45 users. We're standardising all servers on 2012 R2 so need user CALs for these. I believe the days of servers shipping with 5 CALs are gone with 2012 R2 so we'll need a user CAL for everyone. I presume a single 2012 user CAL will still entitle that user to access all the 2012 R2 servers?

Exchange-wise, we'll be moving from 2010 to 2013 and will need user CALs for this too. Pretty much every user needs Exchange access, but we do already have 10 so only 35-ish needed here.

Lastly SQL is the one that's confusing the hell out of me. Using SQL 2012, should I now licence this per-core/processor rather than per user?

Basically wondering what the most cost effective solution is here. I'm aware of the Core CAL suite which would give me both the base user CAL and the Exchange one too but, as we don't use Sharepoint or Lync or any such stuff, it seems that might be far more expensive for no real benefit.
Click to expand...


SQL Licensing, need a PhD in Quantum Physics to understand the licensing model - you could speak to MS and you will get different prices from different people you talk to.
 
If only the 45 users are using the SQL you'll want to just get CAL's. If you've got public access to the SQL you'll be better off getting processor lics.... At that point you'll want to start buying the person in charge of the budget a few drinks once you find out the price.
 
Buy the user CALs and keep them covered by software assurance and never have to deal with feeling ripped off ever again.

45 users isn't really small business territory either. I would strongly recommend seeing if Softcat can come and have a chat with you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom