How to Buy

Licensing for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

Updated: July 11, 2006

Microsoft offers flexible, cost-effective options for licensing Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2. When you purchase Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2, you receive two types of licenses:

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A server license for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 software.

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Five Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 client access licenses (CALs) for users or devices accessing the server software.

This page provides detailed information on server and CAL licensing as well as options and benefits available for small businesses that need more than five CALs.

On This Page
Server Licensing RequirementsServer Licensing Requirements
CAL RequirementsCAL Requirements
CAL ComplianceCAL Compliance
The Value of Volume/Open LicensingThe Value of Volume/Open Licensing
Benefits of Acquiring Microsoft Software AssuranceBenefits of Acquiring Microsoft Software Assurance

Server Licensing Requirements

The Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 license gives you the right to install and use the server software. The purchase of a Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 license comes with five CALs, which give you the right to have five devices or users access the server software.

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CAL Requirements

With Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2, 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 2003 R2 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.

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Device CALs
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 2003 R2 server will consume a CAL, and you can reallocate that CAL if you retire a device.

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User CALs
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.

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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.

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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:

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Electronic license management allows you to easily manage your licenses, orders, and portfolios online through eOpen.

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Discounts over full retail prices.

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Ability to obtain licenses through multiple locations.

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Access to the Microsoft Software Assurance program (see details below).

For further details on volume/open licensing, please also see the interactive videos in our Small Business Center.

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Benefits of Acquiring Microsoft Software Assurance

The Microsoft Software Assurance program gives you automatic access to additional support, tools, updates, and training to help you deploy and use software efficiently. With Software Assurance, you can acquire the latest software automatically, spread payments annually, and benefit from resources such as training, e-Learning, TechNet Plus access, and more. To learn more about the benefits, please see the Software Assurance for Volume Licensing page.

For More Information

•Frequently Asked Questions About Licensing
•Pricing and Licensing for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

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