Confused about CAL's - Question for an internet facing website

Question

From searching online, it seems like most websites are saying I will need to use a CPU license of SQL server in order to host an internet facing website. Is that correct? Why can't I use the CAL method?

From what I understand, CAL's are used for specific users connecting to the SQL Server. With a 5 CAL license, 5 different users can connect to SQL Server. But from what I've been reading, it sounds like an end user on a website is considered a CAL? So if I were to use a 5 CAL license for SQL server for my website, only 5 people would be able to access the database at any one time? If that's true, then what happens when a 6th person tries to access the website?

I would think that a CAL would be tied to a specific user who is requesting data from the database. I would think that if SQL Server is running the database for a website, the server that connects to the SQL Server would be considered as using one of the CAL's. But, apparently I'm wrong?

Answer 1

Processor license covers any number of users (unlimited), it is commonly used for websites.

SQL Server 2008 has a new Web Edition.

You should discuss your requirements with your reseller and possibly with Microsoft sales.

Here are a couple of links:

SQL Server 2005 Pricing and Licensing FAQ

SQL Server 2008 Pricing

---

Kalman Toth, SQL Server & BI Training, SSAS, SSIS, SSRS; http://www.SQLUSA.com

Answer 2

Hi Sheekamoo

If you use the CAL licensing model, then every distinct user must have a CAL, therefore, every distinct user who accesses your website needs to be licensed individually for you to be to be in compliance with licensing. The web-server does *not* count as one user who impersonates everyone.

When you use per-processor, end-users do not need a CAL, so this is why it is usually the appropriate model for websites (an intranet may be able to use the CAL model however if internal users have CALs already)

SQL Server has no technical enforcement of this rule (it will host as many users as the SQL edition and Resources allow) - it is a legal licensing requirement of the product.

HTH

Ewan

---

If you have found this post helpful, please click the 'Vote as Helpful' link (the green triangle and number on the top-left).

If this post answers your question, click the 'Mark As Answered' link below. It helps others who experience the same issue in future to find the solution.

Answer 3

Hi Sheekamoo

If you use the CAL licensing model, then every distinct user must have a CAL, therefore, every distinct user who accesses your website needs to be licensed individually for you to be to be in compliance with licensing. The web-server does *not* count as one user who impersonates everyone.

When you use per-processor, end-users do not need a CAL, so this is why it is usually the appropriate model for websites (an intranet may be able to use the CAL model however if internal users have CALs already)

SQL Server has no technical enforcement of this rule (it will host as many users as the SQL edition and Resources allow) - it is a legal licensing requirement of the product.

HTH

Ewan

---

If you have found this post helpful, please click the 'Vote as Helpful' link (the green triangle and number on the top-left).

If this post answers your question, click the 'Mark As Answered' link below. It helps others who experience the same issue in future to find the solution.

Thank you for the reply.

So a 5 CAL license will work for a website, but it is against Microsofts TOS? Meaning that a 5 CAL license can serve say 100 concurrent users at any one time for a public facing internet website? The web site will not report errors or give failures to connect if more then 5 concurent website users access the database at the same time?

It sounds like Microsoft is working on the honor system if this is how it truly works. They're saying if you plan on having more then 5 people connect at any one time, you should pay more for the single processor license. But if you're not expecting more then 5 users to connect at once, the CAL license may be the better (cheaper) option. Either way, SQL server will work no matter how many users connect at any given time?

In any case, it sounds like SQL Server 2008 Web Edition is best suited for my uses. It has a processor license and costs less then $2,000. But I would still like to make sure my understanding stated above is correct.

I also wish Microsoft would dumb-down their wording of what CAL's are and give clear examples of which licensing model is best for a certain need. For example, simply stating "A public facing website where multiple users will be connecting to the database requires a processor license (not a CAL license).

I bought SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition 5 CAL license last year and I'm regretting the purchase since it seems like I can't legally use this for an internet website.

Answer 4

Hi Sheekamoo

A 5-CAL license is not for 5 concurrent users. It is for 5 *distinct* users. Crucial difference since the CALs are notionally associated with an individual, specific, physical person sitting at a web browser. In effect, it's the first 5 people that connect to your site. Everyone after that puts you in breach.

Apart from that you're correct. It's an honour system and it's a TOS breach, not a technical restriction. Web Edition is produced specifically to address the potential confusion around this point.

See if this link helps:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/F/8/6F84A9FE-1E5C-44CC-87BB-C236BFCBA4DF/SQLServer2008_LicensingGuide.pdf

HTH

Ewan

---

If you have found this post helpful, please click the 'Vote as Helpful' link (the green triangle and number on the top-left).

If this post answers your question, click the 'Mark As Answered' link below. It helps others who experience the same issue in future to find the solution.

Answer 5

Hi Sheekamoo,

Since the question is a license issue, you can call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist, and you can get more detail information from there. You can also visit the following site for more information and support on licensing issues:

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/mplahome.mspx

---

ChunSong Feng
Microsoft Online Community Support

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.
Welcome to the All-In-One Code Framework! If you have any feedback, please tell us.