As I understand it, an Enterprise Exchange 2007 CAL entitles a company to the use of Forefront for Exchange. I am unclear on how we are suppose to gain access to the cd-key for forefront though. I downloaded the eval version and tried entering our exchange enterprise key but it states it is invalid. Is this option only available to companies who purchased through volume license? Our purchase was retail.

Yes I think it would be licensed through one of the volume license program explained in below couple of article... Pricing and Licensing http://www.microsoft.com/forefront/serversecurity/exchange/en/us/pricing-licensing.aspx Frequently Asked Questions http://www.microsoft.com/forefront/serversecurity/exchange/en/us/faq.aspx However I would also suggest you to call directly to licensing phone support @ Microsoft for better assistance on this... Licensing Phone Support:http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/pur/phone.aspxAmit Tank | MVP Exchange Server | MCITP: EMA | MCSA: M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

You have to purchase ForeFront for Exchange, even when you have Exchange 2007 Enterprise. You pay per CAL, with a minimum of 5 CALs. You pay for three years at once, in advance. I also have Exchange 2007 SP2 Enterprise. After having bought the license fee for ForeFront for Exchange I had great difficulties to get the activation key activated. It had been escalated and finally MS send me a key per e-mail.

thanks guys for the explination.