Licensing for SQL Server

Question

Hello,

I just want to know if I am hosting a web application on my server and end users have to  browse this application globally. There will be no development work, then what would be the licensing policies for browsing that application.

Please be specific which policies we have to use. 

I have gone through a link in which i got some confision

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/product-licensing-faq.aspx#tab=4

Go to last question in CAL Requirements

" If a user or device accesses a server running Windows Server but is authenticating via a third-party authentication application (non-Microsoft-based authentication), does the user or device still require a Windows Server CAL?

Yes, if the user or device is authenticated or otherwise individually identified by a server running Windows Server through any other means, it requires a Windows Server CAL. The specific Windows Server CAL requirement is defined in the Microsoft Product Use Rights as follows:

"You do not need CALs for any user or device that accesses your instances of the server software only through the Internet without being authenticated or otherwise individually identified by the server software or through any other means.""

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Its little bit confusing in both these statement weather my user require licensing or not?

Regards

Ashutosh

Answer 1

Hi,

When you need access to user with anonymous access you need processor license. If you can count your users - aka authenticated - you may consider CAL's until core license is cheaper. For more information please contact to a Microsoft licensing specialist. you may find them at http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/worldwide.aspx

I hope it helps.

Janos

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There are 10 type of people. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

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Answer 2

Thanks Berke for replying 

but Still not convince with the answer.

I want to know whether my user require CAL Just for browsing the application globally if the web application is hosted on my server?

thanks

Answer 3

hi,

If you cannot count your users you must go with processor license, if you can you need CAL. 

Janos

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There are 10 type of people. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

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Answer 4

Thanks Berke

Suppose if you have uploaded an application on the server and I am accessing it. then I don't require any kind of licensing just for browsing it.

The same situation is here: Why do my users need CAL just for browsing the application.

Thanks

Answer 5

What kind of application are you talking about?

Janos

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There are 10 type of people. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

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Answer 6

I am talking about any web application having SQL Server as a backend.

Thanks

Answer 7

Great, then the answer is the same.

Janos

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There are 10 type of people. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

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Answer 8

I agree with Janos, although there are other options.

In general, you need to license access to SQL Server. SQL server can be licensed either by user or by core. The server is cheaper if you can license with CALs, but it's not suitable for the Internet because you can't prevent people who don't have CALs from accessing it. The only practical option for the Internet is to license by core. It's more expensive, but it allows an unlimited number of people to access the SQL instance. The fact that people are accessing an application rather than SQL Server doesn't matter, by the way. If they are accessing an application that uses SQL, Microsoft considers this "indirect access," and it needs to be licensed.

Consider these options.

1. If your DB is less than 10GB you could use SQL Server Express. It's free, no licenses required for the server or for people who access it.

2. Use a non-Microsoft, open-source DB, like MySQL or Postgres.

Paul DeGroot

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Paul DeGroot Principal Consultant Pica Communications "Solving the Microsoft Licensing Puzzle"

Answer 9

Along the same line of questioning. If the program I am running is being accessed from the Internet, say I want to run Apache and an open source SQL solution, but is residing on MS 2008 Server do I need any CAL's?

Answer 10

Ryan, No. If your server is accessible from the internet you need processor license even for the back-end servers as well. If you want to make sure what else or the above  are applicable for you make sure you contact to your regional licensing center. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/12910.licensing-questions-on-msdn-and-technet-forums.aspx

Janos

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There are 10 type of people. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

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