Server Licensing Requirements
The Windows Small Business Server 2008 license gives you the right to install and use the server software. The purchase of a Windows Small Business Server 2008 comes with five CALs, which give you the right to have five devices or users access the server software.
CAL Requirements
With Windows Small Business Server 2008, use of server services does not activate CALs. Instead, businesses choose how CALs will be used based on how the server needs to be accessed on a regular basis. Both editions of Windows Small Business Server 2008 offer two types of CALs to choose from: device-based (device CALs) or user-based (user CALs) options. These options give you the flexibility to choose the CAL that best suits your organization.
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 on the licensed device. Device CALs might make the most economic and administrative sense for an organization that has multiple users for one device, such as shift workers. If you choose device CALs, then each device that accesses the Windows Small Business Server 2008 server will consume a CAL, and you can reallocate that CAL if you retire a device.
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 multiple devices to access the network. You can reallocate a user CAL if a reassignment is permanent. You can also temporarily reassign a user CAL if the user is on leave or the device is disabled.
CAL Compliance
When completing the CAL license document, you can specify whether you would like a per-user or a per-device CAL. For CAL add-in packs, separate versions are available for per-user and per-device preferences.
For license compliance, it is recommended that you maintain records of your purchase and CAL assignments.
The Value of Volume/Open Licensing
If you are interested in acquiring more than five CALs, Microsoft offers specific volume-licensing solutions designed to meet the needs of small businesses and organizations. Microsoft licensing programs help save you time and money by making the purchase and management of multiple software licenses easier.
Benefits of volume licensing include:
Electronic license management allows you to easily manage your licenses, orders, and portfolios online through eOpen.
Discounts over full retail prices.
Ability to obtain licenses through multiple locations.
Access to the Microsoft Software Assurance program (see details above).
For further details on volume/open licensing, please also see the interactive videos in our Small Business Center.
