View Full Version : Windows 2003 Server Licensing Mode


Skc
06-28-2006, 10:01 PM
I have bought 3 new servers running Windows 2003 Server R2.

Server A : DC running AD and ISa 2004
Server B : ADC (Additional Domain Controller) running Exch 2003 Sp2
Server C: ADC FileServer

What licensing mode do i choose. I switched the machines on, and I have
select per seat or per user/device. Please advise.

Furthermore, are there any white papers for setup of the above?

Thanks,

S

Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]
08-11-2006, 02:17 PM
In news:51651F32-5787-40EB-BC58-17B7EBFC77F4@microsoft.com,
Skc <Skc@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> I have bought 3 new servers running Windows 2003 Server R2.
>
> Server A : DC running AD and ISa 2004
> Server B : ADC (Additional Domain Controller) running Exch 2003 Sp2
> Server C: ADC FileServer
>
> What licensing mode do i choose. I switched the machines on, and I
> have select per seat or per user/device. Please advise.
>
> Furthermore, are there any white papers for setup of the above?
>
> Thanks,
>
> S

Basics, as I understand them:
Per user = each user has a license. You can have five PCs that 20 users use,
and you'd need 20 CALs. If you have 25 computers and only 5 users, you'd
need 5 CALs.
Per device/seat = each computer (connected device) has a license, regardless
of the number of users.

Note that even remote users/computers accessing the Exchange server via OWA
officially count as either users or computers.

You might call MS licensing for more info; this is a somewhat arcane subject
and you're always best off going straight to the source.

Note that the license logging service itself is buggy and is not mandatory.
Most admins stop & disable it, and keep track of licenses manually. You'll
be presumed to be in 'per device/seat' mode at that point.