Licensing Overview

Microsoft offers an affordable licensing model to allow for complete scalability of your cost in relation to your usage. Customers purchase a server license for the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Edition of server product they will use and purchase CALs for users or devices accessing the Windows Essential Business Server network. This is consistent with the licensing terms for Windows Small Business Server 2008 (our small business solution).

EBS 2008 CAL Suite: For each user or device accessing the EBS network

EBS 2008 CAL Suite for Premium: For only those users or devices accessing the premium features of EBS 2008 Premium Edition

EBS 2008 CAL Suite: Available in 1, 5, 20 and 50 pack quantities for either User or Device

EBS 2008 CAL Suite for Premium Users or Devices: Available in 1, 5 20, and 50 pack quantities for either User or Device

With device CALs, you acquire a CAL for every device—such as laptops, desktop computers, and Microsoft Windows Mobile—based Pocket PCs and smartphones—that needs access to your server. With this option, any user can access the server from the licensed device. Device CALs might make the most economic and administrative sense for an organization that has more than one user for each device, such as shift workers. If you choose device CALs, then each device that accesses the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 server will consume a CAL. CALs may be permanently reassigned every 90 days or if you retire a device. You may also temporarily reassign your device CAL to a loaner device while the first device is out of service.

With User CALs, you acquire a CAL for individuals who are given named access to your server. Licensed users can access the server from any device. User CALs might make the most sense for an organization that has many roaming employees who need access to the corporate network from mobile devices or employees who use more than one device to access the network. You can also temporarily reassign a User CAL if the user is on leave or the device is disabled. CALs may be permanently reassigned from one user to another. You may also temporarily reassign your User CAL to a temporary worker while the user is absent.