Understanding Licensing for Servers
Info
- Level: Beginner
- Presenter: Eli the Computer Guy
- Date Created: March 24, 2010
- Length of Class: 42 Minutes
Tracks
Prerequisites
- None
Purpose of Class
- This class explains the basics of licensing for servers and the common pitfalls that are run into
Topics Covered
- Open Source
- Server Licenses
- Access Licenses
- Overview of Microsoft Licensing
- The Problems with Piracy
Class Notes
- Open Source
- Open Source does not mean free!!!
- Free Speech vs. Free Beer
- Service Contracts may be required
- Non commercial use may be free
- Types of Server
- Per server – Per Physical Server, or Virtual instance of a Server
- Per socket – Per CPU in Server
- Per core – Per Total Number of Cores in Server.
- Access Licenses
- Microsoft refers to Access Licenses as CAL’s
- Seat – Per device that will connect to the server
- Session – Per concurrent connection to the server
- User – per user account on the server
- Microsoft Licenses
- OEM – Cheapest, but only good for 1 computer
- Retail – Very expensive, but can be used for life
- Volume – Best bet for companies with 10 or more employees. Allows for ghosting of computers
- Pirating
- Just don’t do it
- If they are too cheap to use legitimate software they’re probably too cheap to pay you.
- Final Thoughts
- For Volume Licensing always call CDW. They will give you a free quote so you make sure you’re buying the right licenses.
Resources
- My Account Rep at CDW is Lauren Booth at 877-741-4552 . She’ll treat you well. Just tell her Eli the Computer Guy sent you.


