Licensing
  Microsoft introduced new licensing options with the release of Windows Server 2003 R2 to address customer business needs and to complement the technical capabilities of Microsoft server products. This is part of a broad effort to make software licensing more consistent, predictable, and flexible for our customers. 

Server 2008 Client Access Licenses (CAL) sold by ASI:

ASI SKU# 69486 = Microsoft WIN 2008 Server 5 DEVICE CALS
ASI SKU# 69487 = Microsoft WIN 2008 Server 5 USER CALS

Server 2008 is NOT compatible with 2003 Server CAL. Their licensing cannot be transferred.

What's New in Windows Server 2008 Licensing

Licensing of Windows Server 2008 remains generally consistent with Windows Server 2003 R2, with a few changes:

  • Licensing in Virtualized Environments

    Microsoft continues to make it easier to take advantage of the benefits of server virtualization technology. Organizations that virtualize computing environments can increase operational efficiency through server consolidation, application re-hosting, disaster recovery, and software test and development.

     

  • Expanded Use Rights for Windows Server 2008 Standard to Support Virtualization Scenarios

    To continue enabling software virtualization, Microsoft is expanding use rights for Windows Server 2008 Standard.  With Windows Server 2008 Standard, you may now run one instance of the server software in the physical operating system environment and one instance of the server software in a virtual operating system environment. 

     

  • New Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems

    Windows Server 2008 offers a separate product for Itanium based platform customers.  Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems is designed to be the leading alternative platform for RISC-based UNIX servers. It is intended for scale-up database workloads and custom and line-of-business applications. This workload focus is consistent with the majority of current deployments of Windows Server on Itanium.   This product maintains the same licensing model as Windows Server 2008 Datacenter; per processor plus CALs.  Pricing is also the same as Windows Server 2008 Datacenter.

     

  • Windows Web Server 2008

    Windows Web Server 2008 is specifically designed to be used as a single-purpose Web server.  Licensing terms for Windows Web Server 2008 clarify that the server software may only be used for Internet-accessible front-end web serving of Web pages, Web sites, Web applications, Web services, and POP3 mail serving. Additionally, Windows Web Server 2008 licensing is enhanced to allow any type of database software on the server software with no limit on the number of users.

     

  • Client Access Licenses and External Connectors for Windows Server 2008 Editions

    With the launch of Windows Server 2008, we require that your Client Access Licenses (CALs) and External Connectors for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services, and Windows Server 2003 Rights Management Services be upgraded to access Windows Server 2008 Editions. We have created new CALs specific to Windows Server 2008. In other words, Windows Server 2003 CALs and External Connectors may not access Windows Server 2008 server software.
What's New in 2008 Licensing - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/license-new-updated.aspx
Licensing FAQ - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-faq.aspx
Microsoft offers flexible, cost-effective options for licensing the Windows Server 2008 family of products. Similar to Windows Server 2003 R2 licensing models, every running instance of the server software requires the purchase of a Windows Server license. In addition, a Windows Server 2008 Client Access License (CAL) is required for each user or device (or combination of both) that accesses or uses the Windows Server 2008 server software.

Client Access Licensing Requirements

Every user or device that accesses or uses the Windows Server 2008 server software requires the purchase of a Windows Server 2008 Client Access License (Windows Server CAL) except under the following circumstances:

  • If access to the instances of server software is only through the Internet without being authenticated or otherwise individually identified by the server software or through any other means
  • If access is to Windows Web Server 2008
  • If external users are accessing the instances of server software and you have acquired a Windows Server 2008 External Connector license for each server being accessed
  • For up to two devices or users to access your instances of the server software only to administer those instances

Device-based or User-based Windows Client Access Licenses

There are two types of Windows Client Access Licenses from which to choose: device-based or user-based, also known as Windows Device CALs or Windows User CALs. This means you can choose to acquire a Windows CAL for every device (used by any user) accessing your servers, or you can choose to acquire a Windows CAL for every named user accessing your servers (from any device).

The option to choose between the two types of Windows CALs offers you the flexibility to use the licensing that best suits the needs of your organization. For example:

  • Windows Device CALs might make most economic and administrative sense for an organization with multiple users for one device, such as shift workers.
  • Whereas, Windows User CALs might make most sense for an organization with many employees who need access to the corporate network from unknown devices (for example, when traveling) and/or an organization with employees who access the network from multiple devices.

Client Access Licensing Modes

After you have selected a license type—Windows Device CAL or Windows User CAL, you have the option to use the server software in two different modes: Per User/Per Device mode or Per Server mode. Both modes are available for either type of license.

Per User or Per Device Mode

Per User/Per Device mode is defined as follows:

  • A separate Windows CAL (of either type) is required for each user or device that accesses or uses the server software on any of your servers.
  • The number of Windows CALs required equals the number of users or devices accessing the server software.
  • If you choose this licensing mode, your choice is permanent. You can, however, reassign a Windows CAL from one device to another device or from one user to another user, provided the reassignment is made either (a) permanently away from the one device or user or (b) temporarily to accommodate the use of the Windows CAL either by a loaner device, while a permanent device is out of service, or by a temporary worker, while a regular employee is absent.

Per User/Per Device mode tends to be the most economical designation for Windows CALs in distributed computing environments where multiple servers within an organization provide services across most devices or users.

** Note that Per User/Per Device mode replaces Per Seat mode, used in previous licensing models.

Per Server Mode

Per Server mode is defined as follows:

  • A separate Windows CAL (of either type) is required for each user or device that accesses or uses the server software on any of your servers. (This does not change the per server connection allowance of one CAL per one connection.)
  • The number of Windows CALs required equals the maximum number of users or devices that may simultaneously access or use the server software running on a particular server. The Windows CALs you acquire are designated for use exclusively with a particular server.
  • If you choose this licensing mode, you have a one-time right to switch to the other licensing mode—Per User/Per Device mode. Your Windows CALs (of either type) would then be used in Per User/Per Device mode instead.

Per Server mode tends to be the most economical designation for Windows CALs in computing environments where a small number of servers have limited access requirements.